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REPORT  OF  CONDITIONS 


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State  Institutions  of  Washington 


TOGKTHKR  WITH 


RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  NEEDED  CHANGES 


ADMINISTRATION  AND  LEGISLATION 


SUBMITTED    BY 

MAY  B.  GOLDSMITH  ANNA  Y.  REED,  Ph.  D. 


OLYMPIA,  WASH.: 

E.%L.  BOARDMAN,  PUBLIC  PRINTER 
1912 


GIFT   OF 


DOCUMENTS 
OEPT. 


REPORT  OF  CONDITIONS 


IN   THE 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 

TOGETHKR  \VITH 

RECOMMENDATIONS  FOR  NEEDED  CHANGES 

IN 

ADMINISTRATION  AND  LEGISLATION 


SUBMITTED    BY  . 

MAY  B.  GOLDSMITH  ANNA  Y.  REED,  Ph.  D. 


OLYMPIA,  WASH.: 

E.  L.  BOARDMAN,  PUBLIC  PRINTER 
1912 


"          »A 

W    I    ^***    ' 

., 


Eeport  on  the  State  Institutions 


of  Washington. 


Studies  of  state  institutions  similar  to  those  which  are  in- 
cluded in  this  pamphlet  are  not  entirely  new  in  this  country, 
although  they  have  not  before  been  made  in  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington, nor,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  has  any  state 
yet  offered  a  report  as  comprehensive  in  scope,  or  as  complete 
in  detail. 

Efficiency  experts  have  long  been  employed  in  various  busi- 
ness lines  to  examine  organizations  and  corporations,  to  report 
to  the  company's  officials  upon  the  exact  status  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  to  make  suggestions  for  increased  efficiency.  Sev- 
eral states  have  followed  this  precedent  in  regard  to  their  in- 
stitutions, and,  in  addition  to  the  regular  governing  boards, 
are  employing  officials  trained  upon  the  academic  side  who  are 
known  as  inspectors  of  institutions.  Such  officials  are  appointed 
by,  and  are  responsible  to,  the  executive.  Their  duties  are  two- 
fold: (1)  to  keep  themselves  informed  upon  all  lines  of  mod- 
ern institutional  progress  and  to  pass  on  to  the  executive  such 
knowledge  as  may  be  useful  to  him  in  improving  the  institu- 
tions of  his  state;  (2)  to  visit  and  inspect  all  state  institutions 
and  give  to  the  executive,  and  through  him  to  the  public,  a  fair 
and  non-partisan  view  of  the  actual  conditions  therein,  and 
through  the  same  channels,  if  need  be,  to  censure  their  defects, 
or  defend  them  against  false  impressions  and  unjust  criticism. 
The  powers  of  such  officials  are  purely  advisory,  and  they  have 
no  authority  over  institutional  affairs. 


3892S5 


lieport  of  Conditions  in  the 


Since  assuming  the  duties  of  Chief  Executive  of  the  state  I 
have  often  felt  the  need  of  such  an  advisor,  but  our  statutes 
make  no  provision  for  the  appointment  of  such  an  official,  and 
there  is  no  appropriation  for  the  payment  of  traveling  expenses 
incurred  in  such  service.  Moreover,  in  order  to  secure  both 
efficiency  and  absolute  non-partisanship,  inspectorial  work 
should  be  performed  by  one  who  is  familiar  with  modern  methods 
of  securing  information,  weighing  evidence,  establishing  facts 
and  summarizing  conclusions,  and  at  the  same  time  it  should 
be  performed  without  remuneration  other  than  traveling  ex- 
penses. The  trained  academic  worker  who  can  render  unpaid 
service  is  not  always  at  Executive  command. 

Some  months  ago,  in  discussing  this  matter  with  a  number 
of  our  legislators  and  business  men,  my  attention  was  called  to 
the  fact  that  there  had  quite  recently  come  to  our  state  one  who 
had  been  academically  trained  for  such  work,  and  who  also  had 
the  freedom  necessary  to  make  it  a  success.  I  at  once  entered 
into  communication  with  Mrs.  J.  A.  Reed,  of  Seattle,  ascer- 
tained that  she  had  received  her  doctorate  in  sociology,  psy- 
chology and  history  from  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  that  she 
was  an  experienced  educator  and  investigator,  and  was  glad  to 
render  this  assistance  without  official  recognition,  and  without 
remuneration.  For  the  past  eight  months  Mrs.  Reed's  time  has 
been  placed  at  my  disposal,  and,  as  my  personal  representative, 
she  has  made  complete  reports  upon  all  the  institutions  of  both 
Washington  and  Oregon. 

Miss  May  Goldsmith  has  been  associated  with  Mrs.  Reed  and 
has  accompanied  her  upon  several  of  her  visits.  To  her,  also, 
I  desire  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the  assistance  which  she 
has  rendered  and  the  time  which  she  has  given  to  the  work. 

Our  State  Board  of  Control  is  employed  to  oversee  and  ad- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


vise  regarding  the  business  side  of  our  institutions ;  the  ma- 
terial side  is  comparatively  easily  supervised  by  executives,  and 
I  had  believed  our  institutions  to  be  in  good  condition  in  this 
respect,  but  I  was  aware  of  the  fact  that  there  were  some  de- 
ficiencies in  those  lines  of  work  which  may  be  generally  termed 
"educational."  Therefore,  my  instructions  were  to  make  a  de- 
tailed study  of  the  conditions  and  needs  of  each  institution, 
barring  the  business  conduct  only,  and  to  report  the  facts  ex- 
actly as  they  existed,  whether  creditable  or  discreditable.  I  de- 
sired to  know  both  the  best  and  the  worst  which  was  to  be  found 
in  our  institutions. 

My  instructions  have  been  carried  out  in  every  detail.  I  en- 
dorse the  reports  as  a  statement  of  fact;  I  endorse  the  recom- 
mendations contained  therein  and  I  give  them  to  the  public 
exactly  as  they  have  come  to  me. 

It  has,  for  a  long  time,  been  my  desire  to  secure  several 
changes  in  our  statutes  relative  to  court  procedure  and  to  cor- 
rectional institutions.  Most  of  these  changes  are  sufficiently 
emphasized  in  the  reports,  but  there  are  two  which  seem  to  me 
especially  desirable  to  which  I  would  call  the  attention  of  the 
public,  and  for  which  I  bespeak  its  support. 

An  adult  probation  law  which  would  save  scores  of  men  and 
boys  from  imprisonment,  and  at  the  same  time  would  meet  the 
ends  of  justice  more  completely  than  do  our  present  statutes, 
is  one  of  the  strongest  demands  of  the  present. 

A  second  problem  which  is  claiming  the  attention  of  many 
executives,  prison  officials,  courts  and  legislators,  but  for  which 
no  solution  has  as  yet  been  found,  is  the  establishment  of  some 
system  by  which  men  sentenced  to  our  correctional  institutions 
may  be  encouraged  to  continue,  or  to  assume,  their  responsi- 
bilities as  economic  factors  in  the  state.  Reformation'  is  rapidly 


6  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

supplanting  retribution  in  our  legal  procedure,  but  there  is 
danger  lest  we  progress  so  rapidly  that  we  allow  sentiment  to 
defeat  the  ends  of  justice;  therefore,  I  hesitate  to  use  the  ex- 
pression, "payment  of  prisoners,"  lest  the  principles  which  I 
have  in  mind  be  misunderstood.  Inmates  of  penitentiaries  and 
reformatories  do  not  earn  the  cost  of  their  keeping,  and  the 
state  is  supposed  to  provide  all  that  is  reasonable  in  the  shape 
of  necessities.  Payment  of  prisoners  upon  the  theory  that  they 
actually  earn  wages  cannot  be  justified,  and  should  not  be  en- 
couraged, but  payment  of  wages  in  the  form  of  a  gratuity,  as 
a  part  of  prison  discipline,  as  a  means  of  economic  training,  or 
as  a  means  of  forcing  an  offender  to  recognize  his  obligations 
to  society  should,  I  believe,  be  commended.  I  recommend  the 
introduction,  into  our  state  penitentiary,  of  a  monetary  system 
which  will  permit  offenders  to  assume  some  responsibility  for 
family  dependents,  or  to  make  restitution  to  others  who  have 
suffered  because  of  their  crimes.  This  would  have  a  beneficial 
effect  upon  the  offender,  the  family,  and  society  in  general. 

The  reports  upon  our  state  institutions  have  furnished  much 
detailed  information,  and  many  suggestions  which  I  was  not 
formerly  in  a  position  to  secure.  My  object  in  printing  these 
reports  as  official  documents,  is  that  the  citizens  of  the  state 
may  share  with  me  the  information  which  I  have  secured  and 
may  co-operate  with  me  in  furthering  the  interests  of  institu- 
tional life. 


April  12,  1912.  Governor. 

Olympia,  Washington. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


LETTER  OF   TRANSMITTAL. 


To  the  Honorable  M.  E.  Hay,  Governor  of  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington: 

SIR:  In  accordance  with  your  request,  we  have  visited  the 
following  state  institutions  and  offer  for  your  consideration  our 
conclusions  relative  to  their  conditions  and  needs :  State  Train- 
ing School,  State  Reformatory,  State  Penitentiary,  State  School 
for  the  Deaf,  State  School  for  the  Blind,  State  Institution  for 
the  Feeble-Minded,  Eastern  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  Western 
Hospital  for  the  Insane. 

The  purpose  of  these  studies  and  your  instructions  regarding 
the  character  of  the  reports  have  been  kept  constantly  in  mind. 

Our  preparation  for  this  responsibility  and  the  point  of  view 
from  which  we  have  approached  our  task  have  already  been 
mentioned  by  you. 

The  methods  employed  in  our  studies,  and  our  sources  of  in- 
formation have  been  mentioned  in  each  report,  in  order  that 
you  might  be  able  to  judge  how  far  we  have  made  use  of  all  the 
material  available  for  such  studies,  to  what  extent  our  proced- 
ure was  in  accord  with  modern  scientific  methods  of  investiga- 
tion, and  in  order  that  you  might  know  upon  what  bases  we 
have  stated  our  facts  and  offered  our  recommendations. 

Careful  notes  have  been  made  of  all  statements  or  complaints 
received  regarding  each  institution,  and  also  of  each  personal 
observation  made  by  us  during  our  visits.  These  notes  have 
furnished  the  basis  for  our  reports  and  have  been  filed  for  future 
reference. 

In  summarizing  our  reports  we  have  been  careful  to  dis- 
tinguish between  the  actual  conditions  and  practices  and  the 
personal  opinions  of  the  superintendents.  It  is  by  no  means 
uncommon  for  the  general  public  to  confuse  the  wishes  of  our 
superintendents  with  their  practices ;  to  fail  to  distinguish  be- 


8  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

tween  those  portions  of  institutional  work  for  which  the  public 
is  responsible  and  those  for  which  it  is  legitimate  to  hold  a 
superintendent  responsible.  Frequently,  some  material  condi- 
tion, or  some  legislative  need,  for  which  the  public  is  responsible, 
is  hindering  an  efficient  official  from  conducting  his  institution 
along  the  most  approved  lines.  For  these  reasons,  we  have 
tried  to  secure  the  personal  point  of  view  of  each  superintendent 
and  to  give  him  credit  for  such  modern  ideas  as,  for  various 
reasons,  he  may  not  as  yet  have  introduced. 

Reports  of  this  character  are  supposed  to  be  based  upon  per- 
sonal knowledge  and  observation.  In  one  or  two  instances 
where  such  is  not  the  case,  and  where  the  statement  is  of  im- 
portance, our  authority  has  been  given  in  foot  notes. 

After  the  completion  of  the  report,  each  superintendent  has 
received  a  copy  and  has  been  offered  an  opportunity  to  verify, 
or  challenge,  any  statement  contained  therein. 

We  are  pleased  to  acknowledge  the  courtesies  shown  us  by 
the  different  superintendents,  to  again  thank  them  for  the  aid 
rendered  us  in  our  studies,  and  to  express  our  gratification  at 
the  uniformity  with  which  the  accuracy  of  the  reports  has  been 
endorsed.  Should  any  benefit  come  to  our  institutional  life 
through  the  medium  of  these  studies  we  trust  that  each  super- 
intendent may  feel  that  it  is  largely  due  to  his  efforts  and  to 
his  interests  in  the  undertaking. 

ANNA  Y.  REED. 
MAY  B.  GOLDSMITH. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


REPORT  ON  THE  EASTERN  HOSPITAL  FOR 
THE  INSANE— MEDICAL  LAKE. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

In  offering  this  report  for  your  consideration  we  desire  to 
call  attention  to  two  difficulties  which  must  be  met  by  any  in- 
spector of  institutions  sheltering  the  insane. 

First.  That  inmate  evidence  is  of  no  value  whatever,  and 
that  the  testimony  of  the  average  friend  or  relative  cannot  be 
depended  upon. 

Second.  That  such  study,  unless  made  by  professional  ex- 
perts, cannot  extend  to  the  medical  methods  employed  in  the 
institution. 

In  all  our  other  state  reports  our  training  has  furnished  us 
with  definite  knowledge,  based  upon  definite  and  well  known 
principles,  which  has  permitted  us  to  form  independent  opinions 
as  to  the  professional  conduct  of  the  institution,  the  value  of 
the  methods  employed,  and  the  individual  abilities  of  the  official 
corps.  The  broad  general  principles  of  investigation  are  as 
easily  adapted  to  one  institution  as  to  another,  but  from  the 
strictly  medical  point  of  view  our  work,  with  reference  to  the 
insane,  is,  of  a  necessity,  non-professional. 

Our  sources  of  information  and  our  methods  of  judging  of 
the  conduct  of  the  institution  are — 

Familiarity  with  the  best  literature  and  theories  relative  to 
the  handling  of  the  insane. 

Two  personal  visits  to  the  institution. 

Comparison  with  other  institutions  of  a  similar  nature,  and 
conferences   with  the   superintendent  with  whom  we  have  dis- 
cussed at  length  the  various  problems  involved  in  the  institu- 
tional care  and  the  professional  treatment  of  the  insane. 

We  desire  to  take  this  opportunity  of  again  thanking  the 
superintendent  for  the  courtesies  extended  during  our  visit,  and 


10  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

for  his  willingness  to  inform  us  upon  the  professional  side  of 
the  work. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

The  center  building  of  this  institution  which  contains  the 
administrative  offices,  the  superintendent's  residence,  and  sev- 
eral wards  for  each  sex,  is  the  older  portion  of  the  institution, 
and  is  a  veritable  "fire-trap."  The  wards  are  constructed  after 
the  old  corridor  type  with  rooms  on  either  side  so  that  portions 
of  the  sitting  rooms  are  poorly  ventilated  and  lighted.  Every 
ward  is  supplied  with  chemical  extinguishers,  and  with  fire  hose. 
The  bath  tubs  are  filled  with  water  at  night  and  fire  buckets  are 
placed  near  by  in  case  of  emergency.  There  are  four  spiral  fire 
escapes  for  this  section  alone.  Fire  drill  is  held  every  Saturday 
and  the  wards  are  cleared  in  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  minutes. 

The  newer  portions  of  the  building,  and  those  now  under  con- 
struction, are  fire-proof.  Two  new  buildings  contain  men's 
wards  and  form  separate  units.  One  of  the  buildings  under 
construction  will  provide  three  additional  wards  for  women, 
and  the  other  will  care  for  about  one  hundred  men.  This  latter 
building  is  detached,  and  is  being  constructed  primarily  for  the 
care  of  the  criminal  insane.  There  are  about  thirty  single 
rooms  and  an  effort  is  being  made  to  combine  the  prison  and 
hospital  features  in  such  a  manner  that  the  dangerous  insane 
criminal  may  be  properly  guarded,  and  at  the  same  time  receive 
the  benefit  of  hospital  treatment. 

The  buildings  now  completed  contain  six  wards  for  women 
and  nine  for  men. 

Dining  Room.  There  is  one  general  dining  room  for  each 
sex.  In  addition  there  are  four  ward  dining  rooms ;  one  for 
aged  and  infirm  women,  two  for  infirm  men,  and  one  for  the 
men  in  the  criminal  ward. 

Linen  is  provided  for  all  tables  except  those  occupied  by  the 
untidy.  The  table  service  is  entirely  satisfactory,  dishes  are  of 
white  enamel  ware  and  plated  knives  and  forks  are  used. 

Kitchen.  All  food  is  prepared  in  one  kitchen  and  is  sent  to 
the  various  dining  rooms  ready  to  serve.  The  superintendent  is 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  11 

constantly  annoyed  by  the  unsatisfactory  conditions  under 
which  the  culinary  department  is  conducted.  The  location,  size, 
and  equipment  of  the  kitchen  are  unsatisfactory,  and  it  is  to  be 
hoped  that  an  appropriation  will  be  made  for  remedying  this 
defect  at  the  next  legislative  session. 

Dormitories.  Wards  are  provided  with  both  dormitories  and 
single  rooms.  Beds  and  bedding  are  entirely  satisfactory. 
Both  straw  ticks  and  mattresses  are  in  use. 

Sitting  Rooms.  Each  ward  has  its  own  sitting  room  and, 
barring  the  poorly  ventilated  corridors,  they  are  large  enough 
and  fairly  well  equipped.  There  are  also  screened  balconies 
which  may  be  used  by  the  patients  for  outdoor  exercise. 

Assembly  Hall.  There  is  an  assembly  hall  large  enough  to 
accommodate  all  who  are  able  to  attend  any  entertainment,  or 
dance. 

Library.  There  is  no  library,  but  books  may  be  taken  to  the 
sitting  rooms  and  wards  by  those  who  desire.  The  state  allows 
this  institution  one  hundred  dollars  per  year  for  library  pur- 
poses. There  are  about  five  hundred  volumes.  The  superin- 
tendent has  a  carefully  assorted  subscription  list  comprising 
thirty  to  forty  of  the  best  magazines.  These  are  enjoyed  by 
some  of  the  patients,  but  many  are  so  destructive  that  no  read- 
ing matter  can  be  given  them. 

Gymnasium.    There  is  no  gymnasium. 

Farm.  This  institution  is  very  fortunate  in  having  both  a 
good  farm,  and  a  superintendent  who  is  an  efficient  director  of 
farm  work.  The  one  great  need  is  more  pasturage.  Garden 
land  is  abundant,  there  is  excellent  equipment  for  cows,  poultry, 
and  pigs,  but  because  of  insufficient  pasture  it  is  necessary  to 
buy  some  milk. 

The  institution  has  its  own  ice  house  and  cold  storage  plant, 
bakery,  laundry  and  slaughter  house. 

Hospital  Farm.  What  is  known  as  the  hospital  farm  con- 
feists  of  a  detached  cottage,  barn  and  ice  house  one  and  one-half 
miles  from  the  main  buildings.  The  cottage  has  accommoda- 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


tions  for  about  twenty  patients,  is  looked  after  by  two  officers, 
offers  home  cooking  and  family  life  to  a  few  of  the  patients 
who  can  be  trusted  to  have  the  benefits  of  its  superior  ad- 
vantages. 

THE  OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  total  number  of  employees  is  90.  This  includes  the 
superintendent  and  two  medical  assistants,  a  supervisor  of  male 
attendants,  a  matron,  steward,  nurses  and  attendants,  and  the 
various  other  employees  necessary  in  conducting  such  an  in- 
stitution. 

A  third  medical  assistant  has  recently  been  appointed  and 
will  go  on  duty  at  once. 

At  the  present  there  is  no  study  class  for  attendants,  but  the 
superintendent  is  preparing  to  inaugurate  a  course  of  lectures 
dealing  with  practical  problems  relative  to  the  care  of  the 
insane. 

Male  attendants  are  employed  in  the  men's  wards,  female  at- 
tendants in  the  women's.  The  hours  of  duty  are  about  the  same 
as  in  our  other  state  institutions.  Rules  for  the  conduct  of  at- 
tendants are  very  strict  and  under  no  conditions  are  they  al- 
lowed to  strike  a  patient,  even  in  self-defense. 

COMMITMENT  AND  RELEASE. 

Patients  are  committed  to  the  insane  hospitals  by  the  courts. 
They  may  be  released  by  the  superintendent,  or  by  the  court, 
without  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  superintendent. 

Women  are  brought  to  the  hospital  by  attendants  of  their 
own  sex.  This  hospital  has  its  own  traveling  attendants. 

Convicts  who  become  insane  at  the  reformatory  or  peniten- 
tiary are  usually  transferred  to  this  hospital. 

PAROLE. 

The  institution  has  fifty  patients,  thirty-four  men  and  sixteen 
women,  on  its  books  as  paroled  patients.  The  superintendent 
generally  secures  some  friend  to  look  after  this  class  of  pa- 
tients, to  write  him  regularly  as  to  their  progress,  and  to  in- 
form him  in  case  medical  attention  is  demanded. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  13 

The  question  of  complete  recovery  is  most  difficult  to  pass 
judgment  upon.  Each  superintendent  has  his  own  standard  by 
which  to  estimate  percentages  of  recovery  and  improvement. 
Based  upon  total  commitment  this  institution  reports  twenty- 
two  per  cent,  recoveries. 

CLASSIFICATIONS. 

At  date  there  are  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two  patients  within 
the  institution,  five  hundred  and  seventy-one  males,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-one  females. 

Upon  admission  to  the  institution  patients  are  placed  in  one 
of  the  receiving  wards  of  which  there  are  two  for  each  sex.  The 
period  of  detention  in  these  wards  is  utilized  for  observation  and 
classification,  and  the  length  of  detention  is  dependent  upon  the 
condition  of  the  individual. 

Aside  from  the  separation  of  sexes,  personal  characteristics 
furnish  the  basis  for  different  lines  of  classification,  such  as — 

Physical  condition — strong  or  infirm; 

Personal  habits — tidy  or  untidy; 

Tendencies — suicidal,  noisy,  violent,  quiet,  etc. ; 

Mental  qualities — so  far  a's  possible. 

At  present  the  institution  is  not  equipped  to  segregate  the 
criminal  insane  who  require  care  combining  the  characteristics 
of  both  jail  and  hospital.  There  are  thirty  convict  insane  with- 
in the  institution,  and  seventeen  criminal  insane  at  Walla  Walla. 

The  number  of  epileptics  is  not  sufficient  to  warrant  separate 
classification. 

The  superintendent  estimates  that  the  institution  is  caring 
for  about  one  hundred  mental  defectives  who  should  be  in  our 
Institution  for  Feeble-Minded,  provided  it  were  prepared  to  re- 
ceive adults. 

There  are  also  quite  a  number  of  non-resident  insane  being 
supported  in  this  institution  at  state  expense.  This  fact  em- 
phasizes the  need  of  more  careful  investigation  into  the  family 
history  of  each  case  by  the  committing  court,  and  opens  the 
question  of  the  advisability  of  returning  such  patients  to  their 
own  state,  rather  than  taxing  our  citizens  for  their  support. 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


Occasionally  observation  shows  a  patient,  who  is  not  insane, 
to  have  been  committed  to  the  hospital.  Such  cases  are  dis- 
charged by  the  superintendent. 

DISCIPLINE. 

Discipline,  as  a  purely  punitive  or  corrective  measure,  is 
usually  useless  in  dealing  with  the  insane.  Every  superintend- 
ent, however,  must  have  at  his  command  some  means  of  restraint 
as  a  precautionary  measure  both  for  the  safety  of  the  patients 
and  as  a  protection  to  others  from  violent  and  irresponsible 
acts. 

The  two  commonest  means  of  restraint  are  the  strong  room 
and  the  camisole. 

Wards  utilized  for  the  confinement  of  violent  patients  are  pro- 
vided with  strong  rooms  which  are  ceiled  in  instead  of  plastered ; 
the  lower  half  of  the  window  guard  is  of  wood,  and  they  are 
destitute  of  all  furniture  which  can  be  destroyed,  with  which  the 
patient  might  injure  himself,  or  others  who  are  compelled  to  go 
into  the  room.  An  hour  or  two  of  confinement  is  often  sufficient 
to  quiet  a  patient  but  longer  periods  are  used  when  necessary. 

The  camisole  is  a  canvas  jacket,  which  has  .supplanted  the  old 
strait  jacket,  and  allows  more  freedom  in  movements. 

HEALTH. 

Medical?  Treatment.  It  is  needless  to  state  that  many  pa- 
tients who  enter  the  hospital  are  in  an  enfeebled  condition  and 
require  considerable  medical  attention. 

The  institution  is  well  equipped  for  surgery  and  the  wards 
have  their  own  dressing  rooms. 

Much  of  the  medical  treatment  applied  to  the  insane  is  not 
readily  understood  by  the  general  public.  There  are,  however, 
some  forms  of  treatment  such  as  the  continuous  bath  and  the 
pack  table  with  which  all  might  be  familiar. 

In  the  infirmary  wards  bath  tubs  are  a  necessity,  but  when- 
ever possible,  in  the  other  wards,  the  spray  is  used.  Water  sec- 
tions are  thoroughly  modern  and  as  nearly  perfect  as  may  be. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  15 

Physical  Exercise.  There  is  no  gymnasium  in  the  institution 
and  hence  during  the  winter  season  recreational  facilities  are 
confined  to  daily  walks,  and  to  the  social  evening  when  such  as 
are  able  take  part  in  the  dancing. 

In  the  summer  months  there  are  various  forms  of  amusement 
which  combine  physical  exercise.  A  bath  house  has  been  built 
at  Medical  Lake,  bathing  suits  are  provided  by  the  state,  and 
both  sexes  are  allowed  to  swim  and  bathe.  Outdoor  games  are 
also  freely  indulged  in ;  baseball  is  played  every  day  when  the 
weather  permits,  as  are  also  basket  ball  and  croquet.  Most  of 
the  equipment  for  outdoor  games  is  purchased  from  the  hospital 
amusement  fund,  which  is  not  a  part  of  the  legislative  appro- 
priation. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

Indoor  games — cards,  chess  and  checkers  are  furnished  by 
the  state. 

Wednesday  evenings  all  patients  who  are  able  assemble  in  the 
auditorium  for  music,  moving  pictures,  dancing  or  amateur 
theatricals.  Patients  are  usually  allowed  to  participate  in 
square  dances  only,  and  in  choosing  their  partners  male  patients 
must  select  from  women  attendants  while  male  attendants  select 
women  patients.  The  institution  has  three  phonographs. 

RELIGIOUS  SERVICE. 

Services  are  held  regularly  every  Sunday  afternoon.  Oc- 
casionally the  Catholics  hold  a  special  service  when  a  priest  can 
be  secured.  None  is  near  enough  to  be  in  attendance  every  week. 

CLOTHING. 

The  state  provides  clothing  for  all  hospital  patients,  although 
relatives  and  friends  are  always  encouraged  to  do  this  if  they 
are  able.  A  portion  of  the  men's  suits  for  both  insane  hospitals 
are  made  in  the  tailor  shops  of  the  State  Penitentiary.  Both 
sexes  are  provided  with  underwear.  Women  are  obliged  to  use 
night  clothing  which  is  furnished  by  the  state.  No  night  cloth- 
ing is  furnished  for  men,  but  the  superintendent  intends  to  place 
an  order  for  the  same  in  his  next  requisition.  Handkerchiefs 


16  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

are  furnished  for  both  sexes.     Slippers  are  worn  in  the  building 
and  a  complete  change  is  made  when  patients  go  outside. 

FOOD. 

Our  methods  of  judging  of  the  dietary  offered  by  any  insti- 
tution was  described  in  the  recent  report  on  the  Penitentiary. 
We  have  no  criticism  to  make,  and  no  suggestion  to  offer  with 
reference  to  this  department  at  Medical  Lake. 

As  has  already  been  stated  garden  land  is  abundant  and  the 
farm  is  carefully  supervised.  Vegetables  are  raised  in  quantity, 
facilities  for  poultry  raising  are  being  constantly  increased, 
and  the  number  of  hogs  is  sufficient  so  that  not  only  ham,  bacon, 
and  lard  are  provided  for  this  institution,  but  a  surplusage  has 
been  utilized  by  one  of  the  other  institutions. 

Beef  is  bought  on  the  hoof.  This  has  secured  a  better  quality 
and  has  resulted  in  economy. 

OCCUPATIONS  AND  INDUSTRIES. 

Hospital  Industries.  There  are  no  regular  hospital  indus- 
tries. The  superintendent  is  not  altogether  opposed  to  them, 
but  his  study  of  institutions  where  such  industries  have  been 
introduced  has  convinced  him  that  the  death  rate  is  higher  and 
the  health  of  the  patients  less  uniformly  good. 

Farm  Industries.  From  70  to  150  patients  are  employed  in 
farm  work,  the  number  varying  according  to  the  season.  The 
detached  farm  gives  18  or  20  patients  the  very  best  kind  of 
employment,  but  only  those  who  can  be  trusted  are  allowed  its 
advantages. 

The  women  pick  berries,  peas,  beans,  and  flowers.  It  is  un- 
fortunate that  there  is  no  greenhouse  and  therefore  no  flowers 
in  the  winter. 

Domestic  Industries  furnish  occupation  for  many  of  both 
sexes,  6  are  regularly  employed  in  the  sewing  room,  29  in  the 
laundry,  15  in  the  kitchen,  2  in  the  bakery,  55  in  the  dining 
room,  and  all  the  housekeeping  for  the  wards  is  done  by  the 
patients. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  17 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  the  name  of  this  institution  be  changed  from  "East- 
ern Hospital  for  the  Insane,"  to  "Medical  Lake  State  Hospital." 
This  recommendation  is  based  upon  the  same  reasons  offered  in 
support  of  changing  the  name  of  the  Institution  for  Feeble- 
Minded,  and  is  endorsed  by  the  superintendent. 

2.  That  some  further  effort  be  made  to  introduce  industries 
into  the  institution.     We  were  greatly  impressed  with  the  fact 
that  so  many  patients  passed  a  large  part  of  the  day  in  idle- 
ness, and  recommend  that  a  study  be  made  of  the  use  of  indus- 
tries in  the  various  hospitals  of  the  country  looking  toward 
improvement  in  this  line. 

3.  That  a  detention  hospital  be   provided  in   every  large 
community;  at  the  present  time  insanity  cases  are  confined  in 
jails  until  permanently  disposed  of.     The  cruelty,  injustice,  and 
evil  results  of  such  a  system  are  self-evident,  and  a  change  in 
our  laws  should  be  made  at  the  first  opportunity. 

4.  That  a  psycopathic  hospital  be  established  which  would 
serve  as  a  center  for  receiving,  classifying  and  distributing  pa- 
tients afflicted  with  nervous  diseases. 

Students  of  this  subject  maintain  that  eighty  per  cent,  of 
recoveries  are  made  during  the  first  year  of  treatment,  and  that 
such  an  hospital  would  save  about  seventy-five  per  cent,  of  this 
number  from  going  to  insane  hospitals  at  all.  Massachusetts 
is  establishing  such  an  hospital  at  a  cost  of  five  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars. 

5.  That  public  administrators,  or  guardians,  be  appointed 
to  safeguard  the  property  rights  of  patients.     This  has  also 
been  mentioned  with  reference  to  the  feeble-minded. 

6.  That  such  changes  be  made  in  our  laws  governing  release 
of  patients  from  insane  hospitals  as  will  protect  the  public  and 
posterity  from  the  danger  arising  from  release  at  the  will  of  the 
courts. 

—2 


18  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


Except  in  case  of  cure,  release  should  be  permitted  only  upon 
the  authority  of  the  superintendent,  or  upon  the  order  of  a 
commission  of  medical  experts.  The  incurable  insane  should  be 
forced  to  choose  between  permanent  custodial  care  or  steriliza- 
tion. 

7.  That  the  necessary  appropriation  be  made  for  a  new 
kitchen  and  for  one  or  more  greenhouses. 

January  23,  1912. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  19 


REPORT  ON  THE  WESTERN  HOSPITAL  FOR 
THE  INSANE— FORT  STEILACOOM. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

Inasmuch  as  the  report  recently  completed  upon  the  Eastern 
Hospital,  at  Medical  Lake,  contains  a  full  discussion  of  this 
topic,  we  shall  avoid  repetition  by  referring  to  that  report. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

The  main  building  contains  the  administrative  offices,  super- 
intendent's residence,  auditorium,  and  several  wards  for  each 
sex.  The  building  is  not  fire-proof,  but  is  supplied  with  fire 
escapes,  chemical  extinguishers,  and  fire  hose.  Electric  wires 
are  all  encased.  The  institution  has  its  regular  fire  department 
with  general  fire  drill  once  a  month. 

Two  detached  fire-proof  buildings  care  for  about  150  patients 
each.  So  far  as  possible  helpless  patients  from  chronic  wards 
are  assigned  to  these  buildings. 

A  one-story  frame  cottage  furnishes  a  most  satisfactory 
home  for  24  patients  who  are  employed  in  farm  work.  This 
cottage  contains  sleeping  quarters,  sitting  room,  and  bath. 
Patients  go  to  the  main  building  for  their  meals. 

A  number  of  small  cottages  are  occupied  by  assistant  phy- 
sicians, and  other  employees. 

Several  small  buildings,  either  detached,  or  connected  with 
the  main  building,  contain  the  kitchen,  shops,  laundry,  morgue 
and  chapel,  and  sleeping  rooms  for  a  number  of  employees. 

The  institution  has  its  own  electric  light  and  water  system, 
cold  storage  plant,  and  slaughter  house. 

The  lighting  plant  is  not  in  operation  after  10  p.  m.,  and 
nurses  are  dependent  upon  lanterns  throughout  the  building. 
This  seemed  to  us  most  undesirable,  and  there  might  be  in- 
stances in  which  serious  accidents  would  result. 


20  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

The  Power  House  is  situated  within  the  quadrangle  formed 
by  the  main  building  and  is  in  close  proximity  to  the  older  por- 
tion of  the  building.  One  can  hardly  conceive  of  any  reasonable 
excuse  for  selecting  such  a  location,  the  smoke  is  a  constant 
nuisance,  and  danger  from  fire  or  explosion  is  always  threat- 
ening. 

The  Kitchen  is  new  and  is  very  satisfactory.  The  floor  is  of 
tile,  the  lower  part  of  the  walls  are  of  enamelled  brick,  and  the 
upper  part  of  pressed  brick.  The  ceiling  is  steel,  and  the  room 
is  well  lighted  and  well  ventilated.  It  is  equipped  with  all  mod- 
ern conveniences,  steam  cookers,  roaster,  electric  potato  peeler, 
tea  and  coffee  urns,  and  range. 

Cooks  and  their  assistants  wear  white  uniforms. 

The  Bakery  is  next  to  the  kitchen  and  is  also  new  and  thor- 
oughly modern  in  every  respect. 

The  Auditorium  is  in  the  main  building.  It  seats  about  600 
and  is  therefore  hardly  large  enough  for  the  institution.  It  has 
a  very  fair  stage  and  a  piano.  It  is  used  for  the  weekly  enter- 
tainments, dances,  and  religious  services. 

Wards  comprise  dormitories  and  single  rooms,  sitting  rooms, 
dining  rooms,  and  baths.  There  are  20  wards  for  males,  and 
12  for  females. 

Dormitories  are  usually  small,  ten  to  twelve  beds  being  the 
maximum.  Unfortunately  the  crowded  condition  of  the  institu- 
tion has  required  the  placing  of  two  patients  in  each  single 
room,  and  in  some  wards  beds  are  to  be  found  in  the  sitting 
rooms. 

Beds  and  bedding  are  entirely  satisfactory.  Mattresses  of 
excelsior  and  cotton  are  made  by  the  patients  and  are  used  on 
all  beds  except  those  in  the  untidy  wards.  Straw  ticks  are  pro- 
vided for  these. 

Sitting  Rooms.  Many  of  the  older  wards  are  of  the  corridor 
type  with  dormitories  on  either  side.  In  such  cases  some  por- 
tions of  the  sitting  rooms  are  dark  and  poorly  ventilated.  The 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


newer  wards  have  avoided  this  difficulty  and  have  very  light, 
pleasant  rooms. 

Nearly  all  the  wards  are  connected  with  screened  courts. 
These  are  greatly  enjoyed  by  the  patients,  especially  by  the 
men  who  use  them  for  smoking  rooms. 

We  cannot  too  heartily  commend  the  superintendent  and  his 
assistants  for  the  excellent  condition  in  which  we  found  the 
sitting  rooms,  and  for  the  general  atmosphere  of  cheerfulness 
which  was  everywhere  apparent.  In  every  ward,  except  those 
occupied  by  violent  patients,  we  found  an  abundance  of  bloom- 
ing plants  —  hyacincths,  tulips,  lilies,  ferns,  and  hanging  bas- 
kets. In  nearly  every  ward  there  was  a  clock,  pictures,  rugs, 
tables,  sofa  pillows,  and  fancy  work  of  various  kinds.  In  every 
possible  place  there  was  a  "cozy  corner"  or  an  attractive  win- 
dow seat.  The  windows  were  all  prettily  draped  with  muslin 
curtains,  and  everywhere  one  detected  the  little  touches  which 
go  so  far  toward  making  an  institution  into  a  home. 

Dining  Room.  There  is  no  general  dining  room.  Each  ward 
has  its  own,  and  cares  for  its  own  table  service.  Meals  are  sent 
from  the  general  kitchen.  This  system  is  a  little  more  expensive 
than  the  community  dining  room,  but  is  an  aid  in  maintaining  a 
proper  classification  of  patients  and  the  superintendent  con- 
siders it  more  satisfactory. 

The  table  service  in  any  given  ward  depends  upon  the  class 
of  patients  occupying  the  ward.  China  dishes,  table  linen, 
napkins  and  plated  knives  and  forks  are  furnished  in  the  con- 
valescent wards  and  in  some  others.  Flowers  are  used  freely 
on  the  tables.  In  other  wards,  occupied  by  violent  or  untidy 
patients,  oil  cloth  covers  the  table,  enamel  ware  takes  the  place 
of  china,  and  in  some  wards  knives  and  forks  cannot  be  allowed 
the  patients. 

The  Institutional  Farm  is  not  all  that  could  be  wished.  It 
comprises  615  acres,  but  a  small  part  only  is  tillable.  How- 
ever, the  best  possible  use  seems  to  have  been  made  of  the  farm 
land.  All  the  vegetables  used  are  raised  except  potatoes.  There 
is  not  much  fruit. 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


Greenhouses  are  under  the  care  of  an  excellent  gardner  who 
employs  8  to  10  patients  as  assistants. 

Just  at  present  a  number  of  the  older  farm  buildings  are  be- 
ing town  down  and  new  ones  are  being  erected.  A  new  dairy 
barn  with  capacity  for  100  cows  was  completed  about  a  year 
ago.  The  herd  now  numbers  80,  almost  entirely  Holstein. 
Separators  are  not  used  as  milk  is  given  the  patients  without 
separating  the  cream.  Milking  machines  are  not  used. 

A  new  pig  house  is  being  constructed,  and  the  equipment  for 
poultry  is  being  increased.  There  are  now  400  laying  hens  and 
the  superintendent  plans  to  increase  this  number  to  3,000  as 
rapidly  as  possible.  The  poultryman  is  also  experimenting  with 
turkeys  and  hopes  to  make  them  a  success.  Five  incubators  are 
in  use. 

THE  OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  total  number  of  employees  is  150.  This  includes  the 
superintendent  and  three  assistants,  a  supervisor  of  male  attend- 
ants, a  matron,  steward,  nurses  for  the  surgical  wards,  48  at- 
tendants in  charge  of  wards,  and  44  assistant  attendants,  and 
the  other  employees  necessary  in  such  an  institution. 

There  is  no  study  class  and  no  training  school.  Inexperienced 
employees  begin  at  low  wages  under  the  supervision  of  experi- 
enced attendants.  Wages  are  from  $30  to  $50  per  month. 

Women  attendants  are  employed  in  women's  wards.  In  six 
of  the  male  wards  a  man  and  wife  are  employed.  The  superin- 
tendent reports  most  satisfactory  results  from  this  system,  and 
the  general  appearance  of  the  wards  where  the  plan  is  being 
tried  was  more  attractive  and  more  cheerful  than  in  wards 
where  male  attendants  were  in  entire  charge. 

Hours  of  duty  are  practically  the  same  as  in  our  other  in- 
stitutions. Days  are  long,  but  one  day  of  freedom  is  allowed 
every  two  weeks,  and  one  vacation  week  every  six  months. 

COMMITMENT  AND  RELEASE. 

See  report  on  the  Eastern  Hospital. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  23 

PAROLE. 

The  same  general  system  is  in  use  in  this  institution  as  at 
the  Eastern  Hospital.  Ground  parole  is  first  given  the  patient, 
and  then  if  the  results  are  satisfactory  a  full  parole. 

Thirty-one  per  cent,  of  recoveries  are  reported  for  the  last 
biennial  period. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

The  system  of  classification  does  not  differ  materially  from 
that  in  use  at  Medical  Lake.  There  are  no  criminal  insane  in 
this  institution,  and  less  violent  patients  in  proportion  to  the 
population. 

The  total  number  of  patients  is  1,386,  862  males  and  524 
females. 

There  is  one  general  receiving  ward  for  each  sex.  Two  epi- 
leptic wards  are  maintained,  one  for  each  sex,  but  as  there  are 
only  37  male  epileptics  and  22  female  it  is  necessary,  owing  to 
the  crowded  condition  of  the  institution,  to  assign  other  patients 
to  the  epileptic  wards.  The  superintendent  had  hoped  to  be 
able  to  transfer  about  300  patients  to  the  new  Northern  Hos- 
pital in  April;  but  he  now  fears  that  the  transfer  cannot  be 
made  until  fall. 

There  are  15  male  tubercular  patients,  and  3  or  4  female. 
So  far  as  possible  these  patients  sleep  out  of  doors. 

The  superintendent  estimates  that  there  are  about  150  feeble- 
minded patients,  and  quite  a  number  of  non-resident  insane. 

DISCIPLINE. 

This  topic  is  discussed  in  the  report  on  the  Eastern  Hospital. 
We  found  little  difference  in  the  two  institutions,  except  that 
wristlets  are  more  commonly  used  at  this  institution  than  is  the 
camisole. 

HEALTH. 

The  health  of  all  patients  receives  the  most  careful  attention. 

A  very  complete  hydrotherapeutic  equipment  has  recently 
been  installed  at  an  expense  of  $5,000,  including  the  cost  of  the 
building.  This  is  situated  next  to  the  acute  and  infirmary 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


wards  on  the  male  side  of  the  institution.  Later  the  same  sys- 
tem may  be  added  on  the  women's  side. 

The  State  Dentist  has  visited  the  hospital. 

Outdoor  exercise  is  taken  daily  by  all  patients.  Baseball  is 
played  in  the  summer  but  there  are  no  other  outdoor  games. 

LIBRARY. 

Five  hundred  dollars  is  appropriated  by  the  state  biennially 
for  library  purposes.  There  are  450  volumes  of  fiction  used  by 
the  patients  ;  109  medicial  books,  and  50  professional  books  for 
the  use  of  the  officers.  Twenty  magazines,  and  several  daily 
papers  are  also  paid  for  from  this  fund. 

Books  are  quite  in  demand  in  this  institution  and  the  library 
would  seem  far  too  small,  and  too  narrow  in  its  scope,  to  meet 
the  needs  of  the  patients. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

Indoor  games  are  furnished  by  the  state.  There  is  a  piano  in 
the  convalescent  ward  and  an  organ  in  one  of  the  others. 

Every  Wednesday  evening  either  moving  picture  entertain- 
ments, or  dances,  are  held.  An  attendant  orchestra  of  nine 
pieces  furnishes  music  for  dances  and  also  for  concerts.  The 
institution  has  a  graphophone. 

RELIGIOUS  SERVICES. 

Protestant  service  is  held  every  Sunday  morning,  Catholic 
service  once  each  month  on  Tuesday.  In  case  of  illness,  or 
death,  among  Catholics  the  priest  always  receives  notification 
and  responds  if  possible. 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  the  state.  This  is  the  only  Wash- 
ington institution  caring  for  adults  in  which  night  clothing  is 
furnished  for  both  sexes.  Handkerchiefs  are  furnished  for 
both  sexes. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  25 


FOOD. 

The  food  furnished  by  this  institution  meets  the  requirements 
laid  down  by  students  of  institutional  dietary  standards,  and 
referred  to  in  our  report  on  the  State  Penitentiary. 

INDUSTRIES. 

The  superintendent  of  this  institution  is  very  much  in  favor 
of  hospital  industries.  For  several  years  some  industrial  work 
has  been  carried  on  and  the  last  legislature  appropriated  $2,000 
to  encourage  the  further  development  of  the  same. 

Industrial  Occupations  for  Men.  All  mattresses  used  in  the 
institution  are  made  by  patients ;  beds  were  formerly  so  made 
but  that  industry  was  not  continued. 

A  carpenter  shop  under  a  skilled  supervisor  employs  several 
patients  in  repair  work  and  in  the  making  of  new  furniture. 
Also  much  of  the  farm  building  is  done  by  the  patients. 

The  tin  shop  keeps  the  institution  supplied  with  tin  ware  of 
all  kinds,  and  some  work  is  done  by  patients  in  the  machine 
shop. 

Male  patients  are  also  employed  in  Domestic  Industries,  such 
as  laundry,  bakery,  kitchen,  soap  making,  and  care  of  male 
wards. 

Farm  Industries  employ  many  of  the  patients  all  the  year, 
but  especially  in  the  summer  time. 

Industrial  Occupations  for  Women.  Domestic  industries  are 
the  main  dependence  in  providing  occupation  for  women.  In 
addition  to  the  care  of  their  own  wards  the  women  do  the  iron- 
ing— electric  irons  are  not  in  use — fancy  work  according  to 
their  individual  tastes,  and  all  the  sewing  for  the  institution 
except  the  woven  underwear  and  the  men's  suits. 

Ten  women  are  employed  in  the  sewing  room  about  six  hours 
a  day.  Five  machines  are  in  constant  use  and  the  work  is  a 
pleasure  to  the  women  as  well  as  a  saving  to  the  state. 

In  summer  the  women  pick  flowers,  small  fruits,  and  vege- 
tables. 


26  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

The  superintendent  has  recently  employed  an  industrial 
teacher  from  the  east  who  will  introduce  basketry,  rug,  carpet 
and  linen  weaving.  The  most  difficult  proposition  now  is  the 
lack  of  room  for  such  occupations. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  the  word  "insane"  be  dropped  from  the  name  of  the 
institution  for  the  same  reason  as  was  offered  with  reference  to 
the  Institution  for  the  Feeble-Minded,  and  the  Eastern  Hos- 
pital. 

2.  That  the  state  be  as  liberal  as  possible  in  encouraging 
hospital  industries. 

3-6.  Recommendations  3,  4,  5  and  6  in  our  report  on  the 
Eastern  Hospital  are  also  applicable  to  this  institution. 

7.  That  the  next  legislature  be  urged  to  make  an  appro- 
priation for  a  superintendent's  residence.  Not  only  is  this  de- 
sirable as  a  general  policy  with  reference  to  all  of  our  institu- 
tions, but  it  is  almost  imperative  in  this  institution  because  the 
rooms  now  used  by  the  superintendent  are  needed  by  the  institu- 
tion for  other  purposes.  With  slight  alterations  they  would 
furnish  good  quarters  for  the  industrial  work. 

March  7,  1912. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


REPORT  ON  THE  STATE  SCHOOL  FOR  THE 
BLIND-VANCOUVER,  WASH. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

Before  visiting  this  institution  a  careful  study  was  made  of 
the  most  recent  theories  regarding  the  education  of  the  blind 
and  the  most  successful  methods  employed  in  their  instruction. 
For  some  years  we  have  been  more  or  less  familiar  with  the  work 
of  several  eastern  institutions  engaged  in  this  profession;  we 
have  visited  the  Oregon  State  School,  at  Salem,  and  have  com- 
pared the  methods  and  advantages  of  that  school  with  those  of 
ours.  Personal  attention  has  been  given  to  the  study  of  the 
institution  in  all  its  various  departments. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

The  State  School  for  the  Blind  is  located  on  a  seven-acre 
tract  of  land  within  the  city  limits  of  Vancouver. 

At  the  present  time  the  only  building  in  use  for  all  purposes 
is  very  old,  ill-adapted  to  modern  needs,  unsanitary,  hopelessly 
dilapidated,  and  most  dangerous  for  blind  children  in  case  of 
fire. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  waste  time  picturing  dormitory  condi- 
tions in  this  building  because  two  new  fire-proof  cottages  will  be 
ready  for  occupancy  within  a  few  weeks.  These  cottages,  one 
for  either  sex,  are,  with  minor  changes,  duplicates  of  the  cot- 
tages mentioned  in  detail  in  the  report  on  the  School  for  the 
Deaf.  The  older  and  younger  children  will  be  entirely  sep- 
arated in  their  dormitories,  play  rooms  and  sitting  rooms.  Two 
piano  rooms,  a  sewing  room,  hospital  and  nurse's  room  are  pro- 
vided for  in  the  new  cottage. 

Until  a  new  administration  building  is  constructed  the  school 
rooms,  auditorium,  kitchen,  dining  room,  teachers'  rooms,  and 


28  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

the  superintendent's  office  will  remain  in  the  old  building  as  at 
present. 

The  superintendent  and  his  family  occupy  a  cottage  a  short 
distance  from  the  institution. 

The  Kitchen  and  Dining  Room  are  in  the  basement.  The 
girls  set  the  tables  and  wash  the  dishes.  Sexes  are  not  separated 
at  tables.  Enamel  ware  is  used  on  all  tables,  and  napkins  are 
provided  for  all. 

Auditorium,  Library  and  School  Rooms  are  on  the  first  floor. 
None  are  very  satisfactory  but  considering  the  condition  of  the 
building  one  would  hardly  expect  to  find  them  modern  or  well- 
equipped. 

Play  Rooms  are  bare  and  unattractive.  There  are  no  chairs 
of  any  kind  except  the  old-fashioned  painted  kitchen  chairs.  In 
the  girls'  play  room  there  were  two  of  these  old  chairs  and  sev- 
eral benches.  When  the  new  buildings  are  completed  the  fur- 
nishings will  receive  more  attention. 

FIRE  PROTECTION. 

The  building  is  supplied  with  chemical  extinguishers  and  old 
style  ladder  escapes.  Dormitories  are  on  the  second  floor  and 
a  nightwatch  is  employed. 

Fire  drills  have  not  been  held  with  the  regularity  which  is 
necessary  in  such  institutions. 

THE  OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  official  corps  consists  of  a  superintendent,  matron,  phy- 
sician, and  five  teachers.  Among  the  other  employees  are  a 
cook,  three  maids,  janitor  and  nightwatch. 

The  superintendent  has  had  experience  in  other  schools  of 
similar  nature. 

ADMISSION. 

Admission  is  upon  application.  The  school  welcomes  all  who 
are  eligible  between  the  ages  of  6  and  21  years. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  29 

EDUCATIONAL  DEPARTMENT. 

Gross  ignorance  on  the  part  of  the  public  regarding  the 
character  of  several  of  our  state  institutions  has  permitted  legis- 
lative enactment  to  include  our  deaf  and  blind  schools  among 
the  charitable  institutions  of  the  state.  State  schools  for  the 
deaf  and  blind  are  no  more  charitable  institutions  than  are  our 
city  school  systems,  our  state  normals,  our  state  university  or 
our  state  agricultural  college. 

The  sooner  both  of  these  schools  become  legally  recognized 
as  a  legitimate  part  of  our  state  school  system  the  sooner  in- 
telligent parents  of  blind  and  deaf  children  will  take  advantage 
of  the  educational  opportunities  offered  by  the  state,  and  the 
sooner  the  state  will  receive  proper  returns  upon  the  money 
invested. 

Mention  is  made  of  this  matter  at  this  time  because  em- 
phasis in  the  report  on  this  institution  should  be,  and  is,  placed 
upon  the  educational  side. 

LITERARY  DEPARTMENT. 

The  work  of  the  literary  department  is  divided  between  two 
teachers  who  receive  $540  each  for  the  nine  school  months,  and 
who  live  within  the  institution. 

One  of  these  teachers  is  a  high  school  graduate  and  is  teach- 
ing her  third  year  in  the  school.  The  other  is  an  Oswego  Nor- 
mal graduate  and  has  had  an  additional  year  of  study  at  Wel- 
lesley.  This  is  her  first  year  in  the  school.  Both  of  these 
teachers  entered  upon  their  duties  without  training  for,  or  with- 
out previous  experience  in,  instructing  the  blind. 

There  are  35  children  in  the  institution — 21  boys  and  14 
girls.  School  work  is  not  carried  beyond  the  eighth  grade  and 
this  year  three  pupils  are  attending  the  Vancouver  high  school 
and  are  doing  good  work. 

There  are  24  pupils  in  the  primary  department  and  8  in  the 
grammar  school.  School  texts  are  furnished  by  the  national 
government  and  in  some  lines  there  were  not  enough  books  for 


30  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

the  pupils.     School  room  work  was,  for  the  most  part,  satis- 
factory. 

One  of  the  school  rooms  is  open  to  the  older  pupils  for  study 
each  week  day  evening  and  the  two  literary  teachers  take  charge 
alternate  weeks. 

COMMERCIAL  TRAINING. 

The  school  owns  six  typewriters  and  quite  a  number  of  pupils 
are  learning  to  write. 

MUSICAL  ADVANTAGES. 

This  department  is  in  charge  of  an  Oberlin  graduate  who  is 
also  inexperienced  in  teaching  the  blind.  Vocal  lessons,  both 
chorus  class  and  private,  and  piano  lessons  are  under  her  charge. 
When  there  is  a  demand  for  lessons  upon  other  instruments  an 
outside  teacher  is  employed.  Three  pianos  are  available  for 
practice.  There  is  no  orchestra  work. 

PHYSICAL  TRAINING. 

There  is  no  especial  arrangement  for  physical  training.  The 
industrial  teacher  has  charge  of  such  work  as  is  given,  which 
consists  mostly  of  marching  and  dumb  bell  exercises. 

INDUSTRIAL  DEPARTMENT. 

This  department  is  in  charge  of  a  semi-blind  graduate  from 
the  Iowa  State  School.  Tuning,  which  seven  of  the  boys  are 
learning,  is  the  only  industry  which  receives  any  especial  at- 
tention. 

Net,  or  twine,  work  is  taught  all  pupils  over  nine  years  of 
age,  and  some  very  nice  laundry  bags  and  hammocks  are  made. 
It  takes  two  days  to  make  a  hammock  at  an  expense  of  about 
$1.75.  After  the  cost  of  the  material  is  deducted  pupils  receive 
the  gain  which  is  from  $2.00  to  $4.00. 

Chair  caning  is  taught.  Six  dozen  chairs  from  Portland  are 
being  re-caned  by  the  pupils  at  a  profit  of  75  cents  each. 

The  institution  owns  a  weaving  machine  which  is  little  used. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  31 

Domestic  Industries  consist  in  caring  for  the  beds,  setting 
tables,  washing  dishes  and  dusting.  There  is  no  sewing  worthy 
of  mention,  and  no  fancy  work. 

MORAL  TRAINING. 

No  especial  provision  is  made  for  the  moral  instruction  of 
pupils  on  Sunday,  other  than  the  Christian  Endeavor  meetings. 
There  is  no  chapel  and  no  Sunday  School,  but  pupils  who  so 
desire  are  allowed  to  attend  services  in  town. 

SOCIAL  TRAINING. 

It  is  universally  acknowledged  that  the  success  of  the  blind 
is  more  largely  dependent  upon  the  acquirement  of  social  graces, 
upon  refinement  of  manner,  and  neatness  of  person  than  is  that 
of  any  other  class  of  physical  defectives.  It  is  unfortunate 
that  more  attention  is  not  given  to  the  supervision  of  the  chil- 
dren in  the  dining  room  and  in  their  social  life  where  there  is 
opportunity  to  emphasize  the  little  refinements  so  necessary  to 
make  the  blind  attractive  and  welcome. 

LIBRARY. 

Library  books  for  the  use  of  the  blind  are  furnished  by  the 
government.  Also  two  magazines. 

There  is  no  state  appropriation  for  this  library  and  only  a 
small  sum  for  magazines  and  paper.  It  is  unfortunate  that  the 
state  has  not  established  a  good  library  at  this  institution. 
The  younger  children  have  a  story  hour  every  evening  and 
suitable  books  from  which  to  read  to  them  are  not  to^be  found 
within  the  institution. 

RECREATION. 

Pupils  play  outside  much  of  the  time.  Saturday  evening 
those  who  desire  may  dance  in  the  auditorium. 

Saturday  is  a  holiday.  In  the  morning  the  children  go  to 
the  store  to  make  any  purchase  which  they  may  desire  and  after 
that  there  is  no  regular  plan  for  the  day.  On  both  Saturday 
and  Sunday  afternoon  pupils  may  visit  teachers  in  their  rooms 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


from  three  to  five  o'clock.     Many  children  take  advantage  of 
this  privilege. 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  parents. 

FOOD. 

There  is  an  abundance  of  everything  served  at  the  various 
meals.  Limited  time  did  not  permit  us  to  make  a  detailed  study 
of  this  topic,  but  it  would  seem  as  though  an  experienced  per- 
son might  arrange  a  menu  which  would  be  more  beneficial  to  the 
children  and  less  expensive  to  the  state. 

HEALTH. 

A  non-resident  physician  visits  the  institution  regularly,  or 
when  called. 

The  State  Dentist  has  not  yet  visited  this  institution. 

Recent  examination  of  the  pupils  showed  that  six  are  in  need 
of  minor  operations  for  which  parents  cannot  afford  to  pay. 

Several  of  the  pupils  require  the  attention  of  an  experienced 
oculist.  One  of  the  Portland  oculists  has  offered  his  services 
free  of  charge  but  it  seemed  unwise  to  go  out  of  the  state  for 
medical  attention,  and  hence,  because  of  the  location  of  the 
school,  the  children  are  deprived  of  one  of  the  greatest  benefits 
which  they  might  receive.  It  is  unfortunate  that  this  school 
was  not  located  in  one  of  our  large  cities. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That   a   library   be   established   and   more    attention   be 
given  to  selecting  and  providing  material  suitable  for  the  story 
hour. 

2.  That  daily  news  items  for  the  chapel  period  be  selected 
with  reference  to  their  interest  and  importance  in  keeping  the 
pupils  informed  regarding  the  progress  of  the  world. 

3.  That  more  careful  supervision  and  instruction  be  given 
the  children  in  their  deportment  and  in  social  customs  which 
will  prepare  them  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  life. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


4.  That   a   teacher  of   folk  dancing  be   employed  for  this 
school  and  the  school  for  the  deaf.     Blind  and  deaf  children  are 
greatly  benefited  by  this  form  of  exercise  and  the  need  of  such 
a  teacher  is  apparent. 

It  would  not  be  necessary  for  a  teacher  in  this  line  to  give 
full  time  to  the  work — at  least  one-half  her  time  could  be  used 
for  other  educational  work. 

5.  That  the  custom  of  allowing  pupils  to  visit  teachers  on 
Saturday  and  Sunday   afternoons  be  discontinued.      Teachers 
are  employed  in  class  rooms  six  hours  daily ;  alternate  weeks 
they   are  busy   from  immediately   after  dinner  in  the  evening 
until  9  or  9:30  p.  m.     They  read  to  the  younger  children  for 
a  half  hour  and  then  take  charge  of  the  study  room  until  the 
lessons  are  prepared  for  the  next  day.     The  entire  responsi- 
bility for  the  work  of  eight  grades  is  placed  upon  these  two 
teachers  and  they  should  need,  and  do  need,  their  hour  of  free- 
dom on  Saturday  and  Sunday  for  rest  and  professional  study. 

In  most  schools  of  this  character  and  size  the  superintendent 
assists  in  the  educational  department.  We  learned  from  this 
superintendent  that  he  did  no  instructional  work ;  that  he  gave 
no  personal  attention  to  the  preparation  of  lessons  even  for  the 
high  school  pupils,  and  that  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  walking 
with,  or  reading  to,  the  children  on  Saturday  and  Sunday.  It 
is  recommended  that  further  inquiry  be  made  regarding  the 
duties  of  the  superintendent  in  order  to  ascertain  why  he  should 
not  assume  more  responsibility  for  the  educational  progress  and 
the  social  well  being  of  the  pupils.  There  would  seem  to  be  no 
legitimate  reason  why  he  should  not  take  charge  of  the  study 
room  a  part  of  the  time,  aid  the  high  school  pupils  in  preparing 
their  lessons,  accompany  the  boys  occasionally  on  their  walks 
and  read  and  study  natural  history  with  them. 

6.  That  Sunday  School,  or  some  regular  suitable  service, 
be  held  in  the  institution  every  Sunday. 

7.  That  no  more  teachers  be  employed  in  this  institution 
without  either  special  training  for,  or  experience  in,  educating 

—3 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


the  blind.     Experiments  should  not  be  permitted  in  this  type  of 
school. 

8.  That  this  school  be  made  a  part  of  the  state  educational 
system  and  that  endorsement  of  instructors  and  inspection  of 
educational  work  be  placed  under  the  State  Board  of  Educa- 
tion. 

March  9,  1912. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  35 


RE  POET  ON  THE  STATE  SCHOOL  FOR  THE 
DEAF— VANCOUVER,  WASHINGTON. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

We  have  employed  the  same  means  of  familiarizing  ourselves 
with  the  work  for  the  deaf  as  have  been  already  cited  with  refer- 
ence to  our  preparation  for  reporting  on  the  School  for  the 
Blind. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

The  School  for  the  Deaf  is  located  on  a  17%-acre  tract  of 
land  at  Vancouver. 

There  are  four  buildings,  one  being  not  yet  completed. 

The  Main  Building  is  the  old  building,  and  is  gradually  be- 
ing abandoned  as  a  more  modern  equipment  is  perfected.  It 
contains  the  administrative  offices,  the  superintendent's  living 
rooms,  parlors,  teachers'  rooms,  dining  room  and  kitchen, 
bakery,  school  rooms,  auditorium,  girls'  sitting  rooms  and  dor- 
mitories. 

The  Boys'  Cottage  has  been  in  use  four  years.  It  was  built 
at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000,  and  is  not  fire-proof. 

The  building  is  divided  into  two  parts,  so  that  the  younger 
and  the  older  boys  are  entirely  separated  in  their  play  rooms, 
sitting  rooms,  and  dormitories.  There  is  a  stairway  at  either 
end  of  the  building — one  used  by  the  older,  the  other  by  the 
younger  boys.  The  man  and  wife — both  deaf — who  are  in 
charge  of  the  cottage  take  entire  responsibility  for  the  boys 
outside  of  school  hours.  The  boys  take  care  of  the  cottage  un- 
der the  supervision  of  the  house-mother. 

The  first  floor  is  given  up  to  play  rooms,  sitting  rooms,  club 
and  study  rooms. 

The  older  boys  study  from  7:15  to  8:45  each  school  evening. 
They  also  have  a  magazine  club  organized,  governed,  and  sup- 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


ported  by  themselves.  Fourteen  carefully  selected  periodicals 
are  on  the  tables.  The  superintendent  encourages  reading  in 
every  way  possible  as  the  deaf  are  apt  to  neglect  this  necessary 
part  of  their  education. 

The  younger  boys  have  a  play  room  with  cement  floor  and 
many  of  them  enjoy  roller  skating.  They  also  have  a  sitting 
room  and  a  few  games,  most  of  which  have  been  purchased  by 
themselves. 

The  second  floor  is  given  up  to  sleeping  quarters.  On  the 
side  occupied  by  the  older  boys  there  were  no  community  dor- 
mitories, but  each  boy's  room  is  formed  by  a  metal  enclosure 
five  feet  high,  open  at  the  floor  for  purposes  of  cleanliness,  and 
open  above  for  light  and  ventilation.  Each  enclosure  is  equip- 
ped with  a  bed,  chair,  shelf,  and  corner  cupboard  for  clothing 
if  the  boy  is  willing  to  make  it  himself. 

The  younger  boys  have  small  community  dormitories.  Beds 
and  bedding  were  clean  and  in  every  way  satisfactory,  as  were 
also  bathing  and  toilet  facilities. 

The  third  floor  is  given  up  to  one  large  Gymnasium  and  is 
used  by  both  sexes. 

The  Shop  Building  has .  recently  been  finished.  It  is  well 
lighted  and  well  ventilated  and  provides  for  several  industries. 

The  Girls1  Cottage  is  fire-proof  and  will  soon  be  ready  for 
occupancy.  Being  fire-proof  it  is  a  much  smaller  building  in 
proportion  to  the  expense  than  the  boys'  cottage,  but  it  follows 
the  same  general  plan  with  respect  to  separating  the  older  and 
younger  children. 

At  present  the  girls'  dormitory  is  on  the  second  floor  of  the 
main  building,  and  is  in  a  very  crowded  condition.  There  were 
no  chairs  by  the  beds,  and  in  most  cases  clothing  was  on  the  foot 
of  the  bed.  A  deaf  supervisor  is  also  in  charge  of  the  girls. 

The  sitting  rooms  for  girls  are  on  the  first  floor,  and  in  visit- 
ing these  rooms  on  Sunday,  when  a  large  part  of  the  girls  were 
together,  we  learned  that,  aside  from  the  seats  in  the  school 
rooms,  there  were  chairs  enough  for  only  about  one-half  of  the 
girls  in  the  institution,  and  most  of  these  were  the  old-fashioned 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  37 

kitchen  chairs  with  uncomfortable  backs.  This  is  a  matter 
which  should  be  remedied  when  -the  girls  move  into  their  new 
cottage. 

School  Rooms  are  on  the  third  floor  of  the  main  building. 
They  are  old,  poorly  equipped,  badly  lighted  and  ventilated. 
One  room  uses  electric  light  practically  all  the  time. 

The  Auditorium  is  also  in  the  main  building.  It  is  large 
enough  and  very  satisfactory. 

The  Dining  Room  is  used  by  both  sexes,  is  carefully  super- 
vised and  the  table  service  was  satisfactory. 

The  Kitchen  and  Bakery  are  neither  very  satisfactory,  nor 
very  conveniently  located. 

There  is  no  Hospital.  In  case  of  illness  the  abandoned  dor- 
mitories on  the  fourth  floor  are  used  and  all  supplies  have  to  be 
carried. 

FIRE  DRILLS. 

Fire  drills  are  held  regularly  bi-monthly.  Signals  are  in- 
terpreted and  the  buildings  are  cleared  in  three  minutes.  A 
nightwatch  goes  through  the  buildings  every  hour. 

THE  OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  total  number  of  employees  is  33.  This  includes  the 
superintendent,  matron,  eight  literary  teachers,  five  industrial 
teachers,  the  supervisors,  maids  and  assistants. 

The  superintendent  and  his  entire  professional  corps  have 
been  trained  for  educational  work  and  are  familiar  with  the  best 
theories  and  practice  in  this  line  of  work. 

ADMISSION. 

School  is  in  session  nine  months.  No  children  are  cared  for 
during  vacation. 

Application  for  admission  is  made  directly  to  the  superintend- 
ent who  welcomes  all  deaf  children  between  the  ages  of  six  and 
twenty-one. 

The  law  requires  county  superintendents  to  send  a  list  of  deaf 
children  residing  in  each  county  to  the  superintendent  of  this 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


school  in  August.  Only  about  half  the  superintendents  comply 
with  this  law,  or  if  they  do,  the  list  is  sent  too  late  to  be  of  use 
for  the  current  year. 

EDUCATIONAL  DEPARTMENT. 

In  order  to  save  repetition  we  desire  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  statements  made  regarding  the  character  of  this  school  in 
the  report  on  the  School  for  the  Blind. 

Methods.  There  are  eight  literary  teachers ;  four  oral,  three 
manual,  and  one  who  combines  both  methods.  Four  of  the 
teachers  are  deaf. 

All  beginners  are  put  into  oral  classes  and  are  kept  there  un- 
til it  is  decided  that  they  cannot  learn  speech,  after  which  they 
are  transferred  to  the  manual  department.  About  sixty  per 
cent,  of  all  enrolled  are  capable  of  learning  speech. 

Course  of  Study.  This  is  the  same  as  is  used  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  state.  Some  high  school  work  is  done,  and  grad- 
uates of  the  full  course  enter  the  National  College  at  Wash- 
ing without  difficulty.  Of  course  deaf  pupils  require  from  two 
to  three  years  longer  to  complete  the  grade  course  than  do  the 
normal  children  of  the  public  schools. 

The  school  day  is  carefully  arranged  so  that  the  older  chil- 
dren may  combine  literary  and  industrial  training,  giving  a 
half  day  to  each  line,  and  changing  the  assignments  at  regular 
intervals  so  that  each  pupil  may  have  equal  advantages  with 
respect  to  morning  and  afternoon  sessions. 

Children  below  the  fifth  grade  attend  the  literary  department 
at  both  sessions. 

Literary  Department.  All  the  teachers  in  this  department 
have  received  special  professional  training,  and  but  one  is  in- 
experienced. 

There  are  112  children  in  attendance — 50  girls,  and  62  boys. 
Classes  average  from  10  to  14  pupils.  There  are  at  least  9 
children  who  are  mentally  defective  in  addition  to  their  physical 
defects. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  39 

Each  room  was  visited  and  the  work  as  a  whole  is  to  be  com- 
mended. 

Duties  of  Teachers.  In  addition  to  the  school  room  work  each 
teacher  has  charge  of  the  study  room  from  7:15  to  8:45,  one 
week  in  four.  Also  each  is  on  duty  one  Sunday  in  four,  from 
10  a.  m.  until  supper  time. 

INDUSTRIAL  DEPARTMENT. 

Vocational  Industries.  Boys  receive  trade  instruction  in 
printing,  carpentry,  harness  making,  kalsomining,  plastering, 
and  glass  repairing. 

Shoes  are  repaired  for  pupils  of  both  the  Blind  and  Deaf 
schools.  If  work  of  this  kind  is  done  for  teachers,  or  outsiders, 
the  work  is  paid  for  and  the  money  goes  into  the  general  state 
fund. 

Three  instructors  are  employed  in  this  department.  All  are 
deaf. 

The  carpenter  shop  is  well  supplied  with  hand  tools,  but  no 
machinery.  This  prevents  the  boys  from  making  much  furni- 
ture which  should  be  made  by  them,  both  for  the  experience,  and 
as  a  saving  to  the  state. 

Printing  is  regarded  as  the  best  trade  for  deaf  boys.  The 
superintendent  reports  the  demand,  at  $17  to  $19  a  week,  to  be 
greater  than  the  supply.  The  school  prints  an  institutional 
paper  which  is  sent  free  to  every  parent  and  to  the  other  similar 
institutions  of  the  country. 

Domestic  Industries.  Boys  assist  in  the  laundry,  girls  do  the 
ironing.  Machinery  is  carefully  guarded.  Electric  irons  have 
not  yet  been  introduced.  The  desirability  of  using  electric  irons 
is  a  question  upon  which  most  of  the  institutions,  in  both  Ore- 
gon and  Washington,  are  still  undecided.  Wherever  I  visited 
I  was  asked  for  the  experience  of  other  institutions  in  using 
electricity. 

Boys  care  for  their  own  building,  and  each  boy  is  required 
to  do  house  work  of  some  kind  30  minutes  each  day. 


40  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

Domestic  Science.  A  careful  course  in  domestic  science  has 
been  planned  for  all  girls  who  have  completed  the  fifth  grade  in 
the  literary  department.  Each  girl  cooks  three  hours,  sews 
eight  hours,  and  irons  three  hours  weekly. 

The  Course  in  Sewing  includes  the  making  of  models,  darn- 
ing and  mending,  all  the  ordinary  sewing  for  the  institution, 
embroidery  and  fancy  work,  an  infant's  outfit,  and  the  indi- 
vidual clothing  which  each  girl  desires  for  herself.  The  sewing 
room  is  in  the  basement  but  it  is  light  and  comfortable.  There 
are  five  sewing  machines  and  one  instructor  has  charge.  A 
number  of  older  pupils  had  made  very  nice  street  suits  of  which 
they  were  justly  proud. 

The  Course  in  Cooking  is  also  well  planned  and  a  regular 
teacher  is  in  charge. 

Every  girl  learns  to  prepare  ordinary  meals,  to  make  bread, 
pie,  cake,  soups,  jelly,  to  can  fruit,  etc.  Each  makes  her  own 
cook  book  and  takes  it  with  her  when  she  leaves. 

This  department  is  worthy  of  the  greatest  commendation  be- 
cause of  the  difficulties  which  the  superintendent  and  matron 
had  to  overcome  in  order  to  even  provide  a  room  for  it.  An 
abandoned  wash  room  in  the  basement  was  the  only  available 
place.  Basins  were  removed  and  the  room  put  in  as  good  con- 
dition as  possible,  the  bath  tub  was  taken  out  of  the  small  room 
adjoining  and  these  two  rooms  were  turned  into  a  kitchen  and 
pantry. 

Gas  is  not  used,  but  because  65  to  70  per  cent,  of  the  children 
come  from  small  towns  or  the  country,  an  ordinary  cook  stove 
has  been  considered  more  practical. 

The  room  is  dark,  electric  lights  are  always  in  use,  but  at  a 
cost  of  less  than  $5  per  month  for  additional  material  each  girl 
is  receiving  an  excellent  course  in  home  cooking. 

PHYSICAL  TRAINING. 

There  is  no  regular  course  in  physical  training.  Both  sexes 
use  the  gymnasium  for  games.  The  Washington  boys  had  just 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


returned  from  a  game  of  basket  ball  with  the  Oregon  boys  at 

Salem. 

MORAL  TRAINING. 

The  moral  atmosphere  of  the  school  is  excellent.  Chapel  ex- 
ercises are  held  every  morning  at  8:20,  and  on  Sunday  at  10 
o'clock.  There  is  Sunday  school  every  Sunday  afternoon,  and 
on  Sunday  morning  I  noticed  a  number  of  older  pupils  pre- 
paring to  instruct  the  younger  children  in  the  afternoon.  Sun- 
day evening  the  older  pupils  have  their  own  Christian  Endeavor 
meeting. 

I  visited  the  "baby"  dormitory  two  evenings  at  bed  time  and 
found  the  little  ones  repeating  their  evening  prayer.  Grace  is 
always  said  at  meals.  Religious  services  are  non-denomina- 
tional and,  whatever  anyone's  personal  opinion  may  be,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that,  both  in  our  state  and  in  Oregon,  the  at- 
mosphere of  the  schools  where  careful  attention  is  given  to 
moral  and  religious  instruction  is  far  superior  to  that  of  those 
in  which  it  is  omitted.  I  have  recently  visited  eight  state  in- 
stitutions for  children  in  Washington  and  Oregon  and  have 
made  a  careful  comparison  in  this  respect. 

SOCIAL  TRAINING. 

Boys  and  girls  are  brought  together  as  much  as  possible,  and 
in  every  way  an  effort  is  made  to  equip  them  for  the  social  re- 
sponsibilities of  life. 

LIBRARY. 

Two  hundred  dollars  bi-ennially  is  appropriated  for  books. 
papers  and  magazines. 

RECREATION  AND  AMUSEMENT. 

The  deaf  can  do  much  to  amuse  themselves.  The  school  has 
a  dance  about  once  a  month.  It  owns  a  moving  picture  ma- 
chine, but  owing  to  the  expense  of  films,  and  the  fact  that  one 
of  the  local  houses  admits  the  children  free  on  Wednesday  after- 
noons it  is  not  used  very  much. 

There  is  a  literary  club  which  has  a  program  every  other 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


Saturday  evening.     The  programs  are  well  planned,  including 
recitations,  debates,  essays,  etc. 

The  new  cottage  for  girls  will  have  a  roof  garden,  or  play 

room. 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  the  parents,  or  by  the  county. 

FOOD. 

The  menu  for  the  school  is  well  planned.  There  is  little  farm 
produce  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  table.  Few  vege- 
tables are  raised,  but  there  is  quite  a  large  prune  orchard  and 
some  other  fruit.  A  few  chickens  are  raised.  Seventeen  gal- 
lons of  milk  are  purchased  daily,  dessert  is  given  pupils  twice 
a  week,  jelly  or  preserves  twice,  and  fruit  in  some  form  every 
day. 

HEALTH. 

A  non-resident  physician  visits  the  school  weekly,  or  more 
often  if  sent  for. 

Recent  examination  made  by  one  of  the  State  Physicians 
showed  twenty-two  of  these  children  to  be  in  need  of  minor 
operations,  whose  parents  are  unable  to  pay  for  such  medical 
attention. 

Children  afflicted  with  tuberculosis  are  not  received  at  the 
school. 

The  superintendent  is  discarding  roller  towels  and  replacing 
them  with  individual  towels  16  inches  square.  These  are  to  be 
used  but  once.  Shower  baths  are  used  whenever  possible. 

DISCIPLINE. 

There  is  no  trouble  with  discipline  in  the  school.  Plain  food 
and  loss  of  privileges  are  the  only  punishment  necessary. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  the  superintendent  be  allowed  to  introduce  some 
financial  system  which  will  encourage  the  pupils  to  make  an 
effort  toward  economic  independence  before  they  leave  the  school. 
None  of  our  state  institutions  are  doing  anything  in  this  di- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


rection.  Several  eastern  institutions  have  very  satisfactory 
systems,  and  the  efforts  which  are  being  made  in  Oregon  are 
referred  to  in  the  report  on  Oregon  institutions. 

2.  There  are  a  few  needs  in  the  institution  which  it  is  to  be 
hoped  will  be  provided  for  at  the  earliest  opportunity.     I  have 
called  attention  to  the  lack  of  sufficient  chairs,  to  the  lack  of 
machinery  in  the  carpenter  shop,  and  I  should  also  like  to  add 
a  plea  for  a  few  good  pictures  in  the  chapel,  school  rooms,  sit- 
ting rooms,  and  dormitories. 

3.  That  a  teacher  be  provided  to  instruct  the  mental  de- 
fectives.    There  are  nine  who  need  especial  care  from  this  point 
of  view  but  who,  because  of  physical  defects,  are  not  proper 
subjects  for  Medical  Lake.     Retained  in  the  average  class  they 
either  take  the  time  which  belongs  to  brighter  children,  or  they 
fail  to  secure  any  advantage  from  the  school. 

4.  That  this  institution  receive  legal  recognition  as  a  part 
of  the  state  school  system. 

5.  That  a  careful  study  be  made  of  the  relative  advantages 
of  the  institution  and  the  day  schools  for  the  deaf,  and  that 
every  effort  be  made  to  harmonize  the  work  of  the  two  schools 
so  that  they  may   co-operate  for  the  advantage  of  the  deaf 
children  in  the  state.     We  have  visited  the  day  schools  for  the 
deaf  in  Washington,  and  find  that  each  type  has  its  advantages 
and  its  disadvantages,  both  are  undoubtedly  with  us  to  stay, 
and  conflict  between  the  two  should  not  be  allowed  to  interfere 
with  the  success  of  both. 

March  9,  1912. 


44  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


REPORT  ON  THE  STATE  INSTITUTION  FOR 
FEEBLE-MINDED—MEDICAL  LAKE. 


BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

The  institution  comprises  four  buildings  erected  on  the  20 
acres  of  land  adjoining  the  site  of  the  Eastern  Hospital  for  the 
Insane. 

The  main  building  consists  of  two  wings.  It  shelters  high 
grade  pupils  of  both  sexes,  contains  the  superintendent's  office, 
rooms  for  the  teaching  corps,  a  general  kitchen,  and  a  dining 
room  for  the  inmates  of  each  sex. 

Two  fire-proof  cottages,  designed  to  care  for  the  custodial 
department,  have  recently  been  completed.  These  cottages  are 
three  stories  high.  Each  has  its  own  school  rooms,  dormitories, 
playrooms  opening  on  large  screened  balconies,  several  single 
rooms  for  use  during  illness  or  in  cases  which  demand  segrega- 
tion, and  the  attendants'  rooms.  Wire  screen  protects  stair 
wells,  radiators,  and  windows.  The  ventilating,  heating  and 
plumbing  systems  are  thoroughly  sanitary  and  strictly  modern. 
Hot  water  is  always  abundant  and  both  tub  and  shower  baths 
are  used. 

In  none  of  the  dormitories  were  there  more  than  14  beds.  Oc- 
cupants are  carefully  classified  and  attendants  are  on  duty  day 
and  night.  Hospital  beds  are  used,  and  the  bedding  is  satis- 
factory both  in  quantity  and  quality. 

On  the  third  floor  of  the  girls'  cottage  there  is  an  auditorium 
with  seating  capacity  for  about  200. 

The  new  boiler  house  with  shop  annex  is  the  fourth  building. 

There  is  as  yet  no  provision  especially  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  official  corps,  or  for  administrative  purposes.  Every- 
thing has  been  sacrificed  to  meet  the  demands  for  admission. 
At  the  present  time  the  enrollment  includes  92  girls  and  123 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  45 


boys.    There  are  accommodations  for  20  more  girls,  but  no  more 
boys  can  be  admitted  unless  vacancies  occur. 

There  is  no  institutional  farm.  All  milk  for  use  in  the  in- 
stitution is  purchased,  also  nearly  all  fruit  and  vegetables. 
Poultry  is  raised  to  some  extent. 

FIRE  PROTECTION. 

Buildings  are  either  fire-proof,  or  slow  burning.  The  insti- 
tution has  an  alarm  system  which  is  well  understood  and 
promptly  responded  to  by  all  except  the  lowest  grade,  or  the 
physically  helpless  children.  Drills  are  held  bi-monthly  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  law.  The  brighter  and  stronger  children  have 
been  trained  to  look  after  the  less  fortunate  and  the  entire  in- 
stitution can  be  cleared  in  70  seconds. 

OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  official  corps  includes  the  superintendent,  matron,  two 
supervisors,  four  teachers,  15  attendants,  a  physician,  steward, 
and  the  necessary  assistants. 

The  work  of  the  attendants  is  very  monotonous  and  nerve- 
trying,  especially  in  the  custodial  wards,  where  there  are  many 
unpleasant  duties  connected  with  the  care  of  their  charges.  The 
hours  for  day  duty  are  from  6  a.  m.  to  7  p.  m.  Many  of  the 
custodial  children  have  to  be  washed,  dressed  and  undressed, 
fed,  and  waited  upon  constantly.  During  the  rising  and  retir- 
ing hours  and  at  meal  time  the  attendants  are  kept  busy,  al- 
though they  receive  some  assistance  from  the  higher  grade 
pupils.  In  order  to  give  the  attendants  all  the  relief  possible 
they  are  allowed  one  full  day  of  freedom  every  two  weeks,  and 
one  vacation  week  every  six  months. 

Although  the  wage  scale  for  employees  in  this  institution 
compares  favorably  with  that  of  similar  institutions  in  other 
states,  we  were  agreeably  surprised  to  find  so  high  class  attend- 
ants and  so  cheerful  and  so  genuine  an  interest  and  co-operation 
in  the  welfare  of  the  institution. 

Class  room  teachers  confine  their  attention  entirely  to  school- 
room work  and  are  not  called  upon  for  additional  labor  of  any 


46  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

kind.  Four  women  teachers  are  employed.  All  have  received 
especial  training  for  their  work  in  eastern  institutions  and  have 
been  carefully  selected  with  reference  to  a  variety  of  abilities. 

The  superintendent  of  the  institution  is  well  informed  upon 
all  modern  methods  applicable  to  the  care  and  education  of  the 
feeble-minded;  the  opportunities  which  have  been  afforded  him 
to  study  other  institutions  have  resulted  in  much  progress  with- 
in his  own,  while  his  personal  effort  and  interest  in  the  work  has 
succeeded  in  securing  the  same  active  interest  and  effort  from 
his  official  corps. 

COMMITMENT. 

When  accommodations  permit,  children  between  the  ages  of 
6  and  21  years  are  admitted  to  the  institution  upon  application 
made  through  the  county  superintendents  of  schools.  There 
is  no  law  on  our  statute  books  which  requires  the  commitment 
of  mental  defectives,  no  law  which  provides  for  detention  after 
21  years  of  age,*  and  no  law  which  allows  the  superintendent 
any  authority  in  the  matter  of  release. 

This  means  that  both  commitment  and  release  are  entirely 
under  the  control  of  friends  and  relatives  irrespective  of  the 
child's  mental  condition  and  its  influence  upon  society. 

Owing  to  the  crowded  condition  of  the  institution  there  are 
now  18  names  on  the  waiting  list.  Applications  for  admission 
are  filed  as  received  and  the  waiting  list  reduced  as  rapidly  as 
vacancies  occur. 

DISCIPLINE. 

Deprivation  of  privileges  for  bad  conduct,  or  rewards  for 
good,  are  the  chief  disciplinary  measures.  Loss  of  opportunity 
to  attend  the  weekly  dance,  or  the  picture  show,  is  a  serious 
affliction. 

Corporal  punishment  is  practically  never  used  as  the  super- 
intendent's experience  has  convinced  him  that  better  results  are 
to  be  obtained  from  other  modes  of  discipline.  Boys  are  oc- 

*  Several  inmates  who  have  reached  the  age  limit  are  being  cared  for  in  the 
institution. as  freedom  would  be  so  obviously  unjust  both  to  the  child  and  to 
society. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  47 

casionally  put  in  camisoles  for  offenses  which  cannot  be  pre- 
vented in  any  other  way. 

Solitary  confinement  in  this  institution  means  placing  the 
child  in  an  open  air  court  where  he  is  constantly  under  the  ob- 
servation of  attendants. 

CLASSIFICATION. 

At  entrance  each  child  is  given  a  careful  physical  and  mental 
examination,  is  classified  mentally  according  to  the  results  of 
this  test,  and  is  given  such  medical  treatment  as  the  results  of 
the  medical  examination  suggest. 

The  superintendent's  records  show  the  following  mental 
classification  and  the  present  enrollment  under  each  class.  It 
is  interesting  and  instructive  as  it  offers  some  adequate  idea  of 
the  demand  which  is  now  being  made  upon  the  state  for  per- 
manent custodial  care  for  practically  every  child  in  the  institu- 
tion, irrespective  of  the  time  when  it  shall  have  passed  the  age 
limit.  It  also  serves  as  a  warning  that  with  each  new  commit- 
ment the  problem  is  bound  to  be  an  increasing  one : 

A.  Idiot.     50  cases.     Will  always  need  institutional  care. 

B.  Moral  Imbecile.     8  or  10  cases.     These  children  are  both 
mentally  and  morally  deficient  and  will  be  dangerous  if  allowed 
their  freedom. 

C.  Imbecile.     About  150.     This  comprises  the  largest  class 
of  mental  defectives.     It  will  be  necessary  for  all  to  have  per- 
manent protection  of  some  kind. 

D.  Backward.     Only  Q  children  can  be  so  classified.     Under 
proper  conditions  these  may  return  to  a  free  life  and  take  their 
place  in  society. 

Idiots  are  not  capable  of  educational  work.  Those  who  at- 
tend school  are  taken  from  the  imbecile  and  backward  classes. 
There  are  80  boys  and  61  girls  doing  school-room  work. 

Within  this  classification  there  are  35  epileptics,  20  boys  and 
15  girls.  Many  authorities  advocate  the  complete  segregation 
of  epileptics  just  as  soon  as  the  number  warrants  the  expense, 
and  permits  of  the  necessary  gradation.  There  are  many 


48  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

arguments  to  be  offered  in  favor  of  such  separation,  but  as  100 
cases  are  probably  as  few  as  would  warrant  the  additional  ex- 
pense it  is  not  a  matter  of  immediate  importance. 

CO-OPERATION  WITH  THE  GATZERT  FOUNDATION. 

Quite  recently  the  University  of  Washington  has  received  a 
fund  of  $30,000  for  the  establishment  of  the  Gatzert  Founda- 
tion, the  income  of  the  sum  to  be  used  in  work  for  defective 
children. 

It  will  be  the  object  of  the  Foundation  to  co-operate  with 
the  educational  workers  throughout  the  entire  state  in  study- 
ing defective  children  and  advising  as  to  their  needs. 

The  superintendent  of  our  state  institution  will  also  co-oper- 
ate with  the  Foundation,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  through  this 
medium  he  may  be  able  to  secure  the  family  histories  of  children 
in  a  much  more  complete  manner  than  has  been  possible  hereto- 
fore. 

MEDICAL  TREATMENT. 

A  non-resident  physician  is  employed  by  the  institution.  The 
superintendent  is  well  informed  as  to  the  physical  needs  of  the 
children  and  supplements  the  work  of  the  physician.  Night 
attendants  are  required  to  keep  a  careful  record  of  the  physical 
conditions  and  needs  of  each  child  and  to  file  the  same  each 
morning  for  the  consideration  of  the  superintendent. 

The  State  Dentist  has  visited  the  institution  and  given  the 
children  the  necessary  dental  attention. 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  institution  is  not  better 
equipped  to  give  both  sexes  the  benefit  of  a  definite  course  in 
physical  training. 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  not  provided  by  the  state.  If  desired,  the  insti- 
tution purchases  it  at  wholesale  rates  and  sends  the  bills  to 
parents. 

FOOD. 

All  children  who  are  physically  and  mentally  able  come  to 
the  dining  room  for  their  meals.  Meals  are  carried  to  the  cus- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  49 

todial  department  for  those  who  are  unable  to  go  to  the  dining 
room. 

Table  cloths  are  in  use  except  upon  tables  occupied  by  chil- 
dred  of  untidy  habits.  Oil  cloth  is  provided  for  these.  The 
table  service  is  entirely  satisfactory.  Napkins  or  bibs  are  used 
by  all  inmates. 

Judged  by  the  same  standard  as  has  been  applied  to  the  other 
institutions  and  mentioned  in  detail  in  the  report  on  the  peni- 
tentiary, the  dietary  problem  would  appear  to  be  satisfactorily 
solved.  There  is  considerable  variety  in  the  diet  and  so  far  as 
we  could  ascertain  the  food  was  well  prepared  and  palatable. 

The  institution  purchases  £5  boxes  of  apples  per  month,  45 
gallons  of  milk  per  day,  and  bakes  100  loaves  of  bread  in  its 
own  bakery. 

EDUCATIONAL  DEPARTMENT. 

A  proper  conception  of  the  duty  of  the  state  toward  its 
feeble-minded  wards  includes  the  offering  to  each  child  of  the 
highest  educational  opportunities. 

Prior  to  the  current  year  only  two  educational  instructors 
have  been  employed ;  there  are  now  four — two  for  each  sex. 
Eighty  boys  and  61  girls  are  instructed  in  half-day  sessions. 

So  far  as  essential  principles  are  concerned  the  methods  em- 
ployed in  instructing  mental  defectives  do  not  differ  from  those 
in  use  among  normal  children,  but  the  process  of  education  is 
much  less  rapid. 

Skill  in  manual  training  is  a  very  essential  factor,  knowledge 
of  kindergarten  methods  is  another,  musical  ability,  patience, 
constant  repetition  of  lessons,  and  detailed  analysis  of  each  in 
dividual  step  are  all  important  qualifications  for  educators  in 
this  line. 

Inasmuch  as  tendency  to  overcrowd  the  educational  depart- 
ments is  demanding  attention  at  the  State  Training  School,  as 
well  as  at  this  institution,  we  desire  to  emphasize  the  need  of 
careful  consideration  being  given  to  the  matter.  The  best  re- 
cent study  of  educational  facilities  in  state  institutions  advises 

—4 


50  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

against  more  than  20  pupils  per  teacher  in  training  schools, 
with  about  half  that  number  per  teacher  in  institutions  caring 
for  sub-normal  children. 

The  school-room  equipment  is  very  good.  Adjustable  desks 
are  in  use,  kindergarten  supplies  and  material  for  industrial 
training  are  provided,  there  is  a  piano  in  the  girls'  study  room, 
an  organ  in  the  boys'. 

School  is  in  session  from  September  1st  to  June  1st. 

Industrial  Training.  In  addition  to  the  ordinary  school 
work,  which  is  in  reality  but  a  small  part  of  the  educational 
department,  there  are  various  forms  of  industrial  training. 
The  girls  are  taught  basketry,  rug  weaving,  sewing,  ironing 
and  other  forms  of  housework.  It  is  unfortunate  that  the  loca- 
tion of  the  kitchen  is  such  that  it  has  seemed  wiser  to  use  boys 
rather  than  girls  in  this  line  of  domestic  training.  This  spring 
the  girls  are  to  have  a  flower  garden. 

The  boys  have  a  manual  training  shop  in  which  the  equip- 
ment is  to  be  installed  at  once.  They  do  the  laundry  work  and 
assist  in  housework,  shops  and  vegetable  garden.  The  boys  also 
have  a  weaving  machine.  The  superintendent  hopes  soon  to  es- 
tablish both  tailor  and  shoe  shops.  A  good  institutional  farm 
is  a  serious  need,  both  because  of  the  healthful  employment 
which  it  would  furnish  the  inmates  and  the  financial  advantage 
to  the  state. 

Moral  Training.  This  is  one  of  the  most  important  parts  of 
the  educational  work  of  the  institution.  Each  educator  and 
each  attendant  uses  her  own  individuality  in  instilling  prin- 
ciples of  morality  and  right  living.  No  definite  rules,  and  no 
general  plan  of  instruction  is  possible  in  such  an  institution. 

Sunday  School  is  held  every  Sunday. 

Physical  Training.  For  the  last  few  months,  girls  have  been 
receiving  regular  physical  training  instruction.  Gymnasium 
suits  are  furnished  by  the  institution,  and  classes  meet  twice  a 
week.  The  progress  made  has  been  excellent  and  it  is  only  to 
be  regretted  that  the  boys'  department  cannot  have  similar 
work. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  51 

LIBRARY. 

The  institution  has  no  library.  The  superintendent  hopes  to 
have  one  later,  although  many  of  the  children  are  too  destruc- 
tive to  be  allowed  to  handle  books. 

RECREATION. 

No  separate  treatment  of  this  topic  is  necessary  as  recreation 
of  various  kinds  is  in  constant  use  in  the  institution.  Once  each 
week  the  entire  school  assembles  for  moving  pictures  and  danc- 
ing. All  holidays  are  celebrated,  and  in  fact  every  occasion 
which  offers  is  utilized  for  recreation  and  amusement.  The 
children  are  very  happy  in  their  institutional  life  and  in  every 
way  possible  a  constant  effort  is  being  made  to  contribute  to 
their  happiness. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  the  state  decide  upon  some  definite  policy  with  refer- 
ence to  the  future  of  this  institution.     If  a  new  site  with  suitable 
farm  is  to  be  acquired,  it  is  time  for  action ;  if  the  institution  is 
to  remain  in  the  present  location  its   capacity  should  be  ex- 
panded to  meet  the  demands  made  upon  it. 

2.  That  the  name  of  this  institution  be  changed  from  "In- 
stitution for  the  Feeble-Minded,"  to  "State  Custodial  Institu- 
tion." 

Parents  are  usually  very  sensitive  regarding  the  application 
of  the  word  "feeble-minded"  to  their  children,  and  are  many 
times  offended  by  the  fact  that  mail  communications  bear  the 
name  of  the  institution. 

3.  That  public  administrators  or  guardians  be  appointed  to 
safeguard  the  property  rights  of  children  having  property  in- 
terests.    In  every  institution  caring  for  patients  who  are  men- 
tally afflicted  there  are  cases  which  demand  this  protection,  and 
it  is  the  duty  of  the  state  to  make  some  provision  for  their 
needs. 

4.  That  concerted  effort  be  made  by  the  educators  of  the 
state,  the  women's  clubs,  and  others  who  are  interested  in  the 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


subject  to  see  that  legislators  and  the  general  public  become 
better  informed  as  to  the  social  benefits  arising  from  liberal 
support  of  such  institutions.  The  establishment  of  the  Gatzert 
Foundation  is  bound  to  increase  knowledge  and  advance  prog- 
ress in  these  lines,  but  there  is  still  much  to  be  done. 

Nothing  of  any  importance  can  be  accomplished  in  any  state 
until  there  is  definite  general  knowledge,  (1)  as  to  the  evils 
which  arise  from  the  freedom  of  mental  defectives  in  society, 
and  (2)  as  to  the  complete  system  of  agencies  necessary  to 
diminish  these  evils.  A  comprehensive  program  should  include, 

(1)  laws  safeguarding  the  doorway  of  life  by  preventing  in 
every  possible  way  the  birth  of  the  degenerate  and  the  defective, 

(2)  obligation  upon  parents  to  place  in  custodial  care  children 
so  afflicted,  and  (3)  permanent  custodial  care  for  every  person 
whose  presence  in  the  community  is  a  source  of  danger. 

5.  Repeal,  at  the  first  opportunity,  of  the  age  limit  under 
which  mental  defectives  are  now  cared  for. 

Under  our  present  statutes  the  institution  at  Medical  Lake 
is  simply  a  temporary  school  in  which  an  effort  is  made  to  pre- 
pare the  feeble-minded  to  return  to  free  life.  At  the  same  time 
intelligent  public  opinion  knows  that  there  are  but  few  of  these 
children,  who  upon  attaining  their  majority,  can  meet  the  eco- 
nomic conditions  of  life  or  protect  themselves  from  moral  degra- 
dation. There  is  a  moral  obligation  upon  every  citizen,  and 
especially  upon  our  legislators,  to  make  permanent  provision 
for  its  sub-normal  wards  in  state  institutions.  Sterilization  is 
the  only  alternative. 

6.  That  public  school  systems,  maintaining  departments  for 
backward  and  defective  children,  be  careful  lest  they  encourage 
actual  defectives  in  remaining  without  the  institutions. 

January  5,  1912. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  53 


REPORT  ON  STATE  TRAINING  SCHOOL 
AT  CHEHAL1S. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION. 

This  report  is  based  upon,  (1)  personal  interviews  with  about 
forty  boys  and  girls  who  have  been  paroled  from  the  institu- 
tion, (2)  personal  interviews  with  about  the  same  number  who 
are  still  within  the  institution,  and  (3)  two  visits  to  the  institu- 
tion, during  which  we  met  each  employee,  visited  each  activity 
and  made  as  complete  a  study  of  existing  conditions  as  time 
allowed.  During  our  visits  every  possible  courtesy  was  shown 
us  by  Superintendent  Aspinwall  and  his  corps  of  assistants. 
and  every  opportunity  was  afforded  us  to  study  the  life  of  the 
institution. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

There  are  seven  buildings  on  the  grounds.  Two  buildings  for 
boys,  the  administration  building,  the  industrial  building,  two 
barns  and  a  hospital. 

One  building,  occupied  by  143  older  boys,  contains  a  basement 
play  room,  baths,  dining  room  and  kitchen,  boys'  school  rooms, 
dormitory  and  library.  The  assistant  superintendent  and  his 
family  live  in  this  building.  The  other,  occupied  by  84  younger 
boys,  contains  play  room,  baths,  dormitory,  chapel  and  officers' 
rooms. 

The  administration  building  is  occupied  by  the  superintend- 
ent's family,  five  officials,  and  58  girls.  The  building  is  wooden. 
The  girls  occupy  one  large  dormitory  on  the  fourth  floor  which 
is  in  charge  of  a  nightwatch. 

Girls'  wash  room  and  "pigeon  holes"  in  which  personal  be- 
longings are  kept,  are  on  the  ground  floor  which,  to  say  the  least 
is  most  unsatisfactory  and  inconvenient.  From  the  day  of  en- 
trance to  the  day  of  parole  no  girl  has  an  hour  of  privacy,  and 
hence  that  refining  influence,  which  is  so  important  a  factor  in 


54*  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

the  upbuilding  of  character  and  self-respect  among  delinquent 
girls,  is  almost  entirely  lost. 

Kitchen  and  Dining  Room.  The  boys'  dining  room  is  large 
enough,  the  girls'  is  badly  crowded.  Table  service  is  satisfac- 
tory. Napkins  are  provided  for  girls.  Boys  are  allowed  to 
talk  at  meals  and  do  not  abuse  the  privilege.  Grace  is  said  be- 
fore meals.  The  girls'  kitchen  is  small,  but  fairly  well  lighted. 

Library.  A  room  has  recently  been  equipped  with  tables  and 
chairs  and  will  soon  be  opened  for  a  reading  and  study  room. 
The  boys  made  the  furniture,  and  will  transfer  the  books  from 
the  general  office  as  soon  as  cases  are  arranged.  There  are  about 
900  volumes  covering  a  diversity  of  subjects.  Few  magazines 
are  taken,  but  they  are  carefully  chosen  along  industrial  lines. 

School  Rooms.  The  girls  have  one  school  room  in  the  ad- 
ministration building.  The  boys  have  three  in  the  boys'  cottage. 

Play  Rooms.  Basement  play  rooms,  small  and  very  unsatis- 
factory, are  the  only  rooms  provided  for  any  kind  of  social  life 
for  the  boys,  or  for  recreation  in  stormy  weather. 

The  girls  have  one  general  assembly  room.  Here  they  sew 
and  iron  during  the  day ;  here  they  play,  or  dance,  in  the  even- 
ing, and  here  also  they  spend  their  entire  Sunday  leisure.  There 
are  no  sitting  rooms,  or  reading  rooms,  and  no  opportunity  to 
segregate  the  different  classes  according  to  moral  or  intellectual 
standards. 

There  is  no  Gymnasium  for  either  sex. 

Hospital.  The  last  legislature  made  an  appropriation  for  a 
hospital  for  boys.  This  has  been  constructed  and  sufficiently 
equipped  to  care  for  six  patients.  Later  the  entire  building 
will  be  furnished. 

Fire  Protection.  There  are  no  fire  escapes,  no  fire  drills  and 
no  system  of  alarms.  Nightwatches  are  employed  in  all  dor- 
mitories. 

The  Official  Corps.  The  total  number  of  employees  is  30. 
This  includes  a  superintendent,  assistant  superintendent,  9  in- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  55 

dustrial  teachers,  4  literary  teachers,  a  nurse,  music  teacher, 
parole  officer,  steward,  physician  and  the  family  officers. 

COMMITMENT. 

Boys  and  girls  are  committed  to  this  institution  by  the  su- 
perior courts. 

RELEASE  AND  PAROLE. 

Release  may  be  granted  by  the  superintendent  or  ordered  by 
the  committing  court.  If  released  by  the  superintendent  there  is 
a  period  of  parole  before  final  release.  A  parole  officer  has  been 
employed  for  about  three  months  at  a  salary  of  $125.00  per 
month. 

Release  secured  through  court  order  is  a  damage  to  the  dis- 
cipline of  the  school  and  the  law  permitting  this  should  be  re- 
pealed. 

EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

Literary.  There  are  four  teachers  in  the  literary  department 
—three  for  boys,  and  one  for  girls.  They  instruct  227  boys, 
and  58  girls  in  two  divisions  during  alternate  weeks. 

The  industrial  and  literary  work  is  not  divided  in  half-day 
sessions,  but  is  arranged  for  a  weekly  change  of  departments. 
School  hours  are  from  9  to  11 :45  a.  m.  and  from  3  to  5  :45  p.  m. 
The  boys  also  have  school  on  Saturday  morning. 

There  is  no  study  room  and  no  arrangement  for  a  study  hour. 

Two  boys  from  this  school  are  attending  the  Chehalis  high 
school  and  making  good  records. 

Musical.  A  music  instructor  is  employed  to  take  charge  of 
the  music  in  the  schools  and  of  the  band.  Note  reading  is  not 
taught  in  the  schools. 

VOCATIONAL  INDUSTRIES. 

Industrial  work  is  well  developed  in  several  lines.  Boys  work 
in  the  shops  from  7:30  to  11:45  a.  m.  and  from  1:30  to  5:45 
during  the  week  devoted  to  industrial  work,  and  also  from 
7  :30  to  8  :45  of  the  mornings  devoted  to  literary  work. 

The  Carpenter  Shop  employs  16  boys.  Fifty  library  chairs, 
and  several  tables  were  shown  us  as  a  part  of  the  result  of  the 


Report  of  Conditions  m  the 


year's  work.     About  $2,000  worth  of  building  and  repairing 
was  done  by  the  boys  last  year. 

The  Laundry  also  employs  16  boys.  The  equipment  is  very 
good,  the  laundry  is  well  ventilated  and  electric  irons  only  are 
used. 

The  Blacksmith  Shop  was  opened  about  five  months  ago.  All 
tools  are  made  in  the  shop  and  much  repair  work  is  done. 

The  Machine  Shop  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  engineer 
who  instructs  8  boys. 

The  Tailor  Shop  employs  20  boys.  All  overalls,  underwear, 
night  shirts,  shirts,  and  uniforms  are  made  by  the  boys.  Ex- 
perience in  more  advanced  work  is  secured  by  making  suits  for 
the  patients  at  Medical  Lake. 

The  Bakery  employs  10  boys.  All  the  baking  for  the  school 
and  faculty  is  done  here. 

The  Shoe  Shop  is  fairly  well  equipped  except  for  a  rapid 
repair  machine  which  is  badly  needed.  Fourteen  boys  work  in 
this  line  and  all  the  shoes  used  by  both  sexes  are  made. 

Farming.  The  institutional  farm  is  not  very  satisfactory. 
Poultry  cannot  be  raised  and  hence  fresh  eggs  and  chickens 
are  rare.  There  is  practically  no  fruit  raised.  There  are  37 
cows,  and  the  herd  is  being  increased  as  rapidly  as  possible.  A 
trained  farmer  is  in  charge,  and  the  institution  has  a  green- 
house. 

Domestic  Industries.  Boys  care  for  their  own  buildings  and 
do  all  the  cooking  for  the  boys'  dining  room.  The  girls  do  the 
cooking  and  housekeeping  for  the  girls'  building,  the  sewing 
for  themselves,  and  the  fine  laundry  work. 

MORAL. 

Chapel  service  is  held  on  Sunday  afternoon  and  a  Catholic 
priest  visits  the  institution  and  holds  service  twice  a  month. 

RECREATION. 

The  boys  have  athletics  of  all  kinds.  Because  of  the  fact  that 
the  school  shelters  both  sexes  on  a  small  area  of  land,  the  girls 
have  little  opportunity  for  outdoor  exercise. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  57 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  the  state.  Both  sexes  have  uniforms 
and  are  neatly  dressed. 

FOOD. 

Complaint  as  to  the  quality  and  the  preparation  of  food  is 
general. 

We  offer  for  your  consideration  the  menu  for  one  week  which 
was  given  us  by  Mr.  Aspinwall  together  with  a  statement  of  the 
cost  of  maintenance  per  pupil.  This,  for  the  past  two  years, 
has  been  70  2-5  cents  per  day  for  entire  support  of  the  child,  and 
5  2-5  cents  per  meal.  It  was  not  possible  for  us  to  make  a 
thorough  investigation  of  this  complaint  in  so  short  a  time,  but 
the  dietary  would  seem  to  us  to  be  below  the  standard  for  in- 
stitutional life  mentioned  in  our  earlier  reports  and  utilized  by 
us  in  testing  the  efficiency  of  the  culinary  departments.  Milk 
is  much  more  abundant  than  at  the  date  of  our  first  visit  to  the 
institution,  but  there  is  little  variety,  and  the  food  did  not  seem 
to  be  very  appetizing. 

DISCIPLINE. 

There  is  no  system  of  rewards  for  good  behavior  in  the  in- 
stitution, and  hence  officials  rely  entirely  upon  the  punishment 
of  offenders  in  cases  of  disobedience,  insubordination  and  im- 
morality. We  had  hoped  to  find  the  graded  system,  and  some 
modern  combination  of  the  merit  and  monetary  systems  intro- 
duced before  this. 

HEALTH. 

A  non-resident  physician  is  employed,  and  the  hospitals  are 
in  charge  of  a  trained  nurse. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  more  care  be  used  in  committing  children  to  the 
State  Training  School,  so  that  only  such  as  absolutely  require 
institutional  life  shall  be  sent.  The  mingling  of  immoral  and 
wayward  children  is  bad  for  the  institution,  and  is  a  great  in- 
justice to  boys  who  might  have  been  handled  by  probation. 


58  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

%.     An  inquiry  into  the  desirability  of  our  present  law  re- 
garding release. 

3.  Segregation  of  the  sexes.     This  is  the  greatest  and  most 
imperative  demand,  and  every  effort  should  be  made  to  accom- 
plish it  at  the  earliest  opportunity.     It  would  be  most  desirable 
to  place  the  girls  near  some  large  city  where  many  advantages 
could  be  secured,  and  several  serious  disadvantages  overcome. 

4.  That  a  system  of  fire  alarms  and  fire  escapes  be  installed 
on  all  buildings  having  dormitories,  and  that  regular  fire  drills 
be  inaugurated  the  same  as  in  all  public  schools. 

5.  That  a  gymnasium  and  reading  room  be  provided  for 
boys. 

6.  That   a   detailed   investigation   be   made   regarding   the 
quality,  preparation,  and  expense  of  food. 

7.  That  corporal  punishment  be  discouraged,  and  that  ev- 
ery effort  be  made  to  substitute  such  intellectual  and  moral  in- 
fluence as  can  be  secured  only  from  strong  personality  and  high 
personal  ideals,   together  with   a  thorough  understanding   of, 
and  sympathy  for,  each  individual  weakness. 

8.  That  the  educational  department  be  placed  under  the 
supervision  of  the  State  Board  of  Education  and  that  teachers 
employed  in  the  literary  department  be  endorsed  by  it. 

9.  That  a  systematic  course  in  domestic  industries  be  or- 
ganized, and  that  upon  entering  the  institution  each  girl  be  given 
to  understand  that  such  portions  of  this  course  as  she  is  phy- 
sically and  mentally  able  to  master  must  be  satisfactorily  com- 
pleted before  she  can  become  eligible  for  parole. 

10.  That  an  effort  be  made  to  raise  the  professional  stand- 
ard of  the  institutional  corps.     There  is  no  study  club  among 
employees,  and  almost  no  familiarity  with  modern  professional 
literature. 

April  12,  1912. 
Chehalis,  Washington. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  59 


REPORT  ON  STATE  REFORMATORY 
AT  MONROE. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

Our  findings  in  this  investigation,  together  with  the  recom- 
mendations which  we  desire  to  offer,  are  based  upon  the  follow- 
ing sources  of  information:  (1)  Two  personal  visits  to  the 
institution,  Sept.  22  to  27,  and  Nov.  4  to  6,  (2)  conferences 
with  various  business  and  professional  men  residing  in  Monroe, 
or  other  parts  of  the  state,  (3)  conferences  with  24  employees 
of  the  institution,  (4)  with  57  inmates,  (5)  with  a  number  of 
paroled  and  released  men,  (6)  with  several  employees,  or 
guards,  who  have  resigned  or  been  discharged,  (7)  the  records 
of  the  institution,  (8)  a  detailed  study  of  each  complaint  re- 
garding the  conduct  of  the  institution,  or  its  management. 

A  total  of  114  private  interviews  have  been  held.  A  record 
of  all  evidence  has  been  preserved,  and  is  considered  strictly  con- 
fidential except  where  permission  to  use  it  was  given  voluntarily. 

In  our  interviews  with  inmates  every  precaution  was  taken 
to  avoid  the  two  great  dangers  which  are  apt  to  result  from 
utilization  of  such  sources  of  information;  (1)  the  acceptance, 
as  fact,  of  the  personal  opinion  of  individuals  upon  whom  the 
effects  of  loss  of  liberty  are  such  as  to  lead  them  to  interpret 
every  official  duty  as  indicative  of  personal  superiority,  cruelty, 
or  lack  of  sympathy;  and  (2)  the  creation  of  insurrection,  or 
insubordination,  based  upon  questionings  which  might  be  in- 
terpreted as  expressions  of  sympathy  for,  or  endorsement  of 
complaints,  whether  real  or  imaginary.  On  the  other  hand,  we 
have  not  been  unmindful  of  the  fact,  that,  in  order  to  know  the 
full  truth,  we  must  secure  a  free  expression  of  inmate  opinion. 
With  this  in  view,  we  have  chosen  our  conferees  at  random,  from 
the  records  of  the  institution,  care  being  taken  to  secure  equal 
representation  from  all  classes ;  those  who  have  been  recently 


60  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

committed,  and  those  awaiting  parole;  those  who  have  been 
refused  parole,  or  have  attempted  escape,  and  those  who  have 
violated  parole  and  are  serving  second  terms. 

Every  part  of  the  institution  has  been  carefully  inspected. 

We  have  been  greatly  assisted  in  our  study  by  the  attitude  of 
Superintendent  Roe,  who  has  placed  at  our  disposal  the  records 
of  the  institution,  and  who  has  afforded  us  especial  conveniences 
for  private  conferences.  The  records  of  the  institution  are  care- 
fully kept  and  in  many  instances  were  invaluable  in  verifying, 
or  disproving,  individual  complaints. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

So  far  as  the  material  conditions  of  the  Reformatory  are  con- 
cerned, the  institution  is  in  the  making.  Plans  for  a  completed 
institution  are  open  to  the  public  and  are  worthy  of  inspection. 
One  of  the  most  desirable  features  is  the  cell  house,  which  will 
contain  640  individual  rooms.  Each  room  will  be  well  lighted 
and  will  contain  a  private  lavatory  and  toilet. 

Inasmuch  as  this  phase  of  the  work,  as  well  as  the  financial 
statement  of  the  institution,  is  to  be  found  in  the  Report  of  the 
Board  of  Managers,  we  shall  avoid  its  repetition. 

Dormitories  are  fire-proof  and  are  equipped  with  fire  escapes. 

OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

Superintendent.  No  matter  what  general  system  may  be 
adopted  for  any  given  state  institution,  its  individual  tone,  and 
its  final  success,  are  bound  to  be  dependent  upon  the  character 
and  ability  of  its  supervising  official.  The  State  of  Washing- 
ton has  been  particularly  fortunate  in  securing  as  the  superin- 
tendent of  its  Reformatory  one  who  is  thoroughly  informed 
upon  every  topic  connected  with  delinquency,  or  criminology ; 
one  who  allows  no  new  thought  or  experiment  to  escape  his 
notice,  selecting  for  his  own  institution  only  that  which  promises 
to  fill  some  recognized  need.  Keenly  alive  to  his  responsibility, 
both  to  the  state  and  to  the  individual  committed  to  his  care,  he 
combines  business  efficiency  with  a  thorough  understanding  of 
the  reformatory  spirit ;  the  good  of  the  individual  with  the  bene- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  61 

fit  of  the  state.  In  dealing  with  his  charges  he  is  sympathetic, 
but  without  sentimentality,  firm  but  not  harsh,  far-seeing  and 
patient  with  each  individual,  and  optimistic  and  enthusiastic  for 
the  success  of  his  work.  Owing  to  the  great  variety  of  re- 
sponsibilities placed  upon  the  superintendent,  and  the  pressure 
of  administrative  functions,  there  is  grave  danger  that  his  per- 
sonal influence  upon  the  inmates  will  be  seriously  weakened  un- 
less relief  of  some  kind  be  given  him.  Requests  for  personal  in- 
terviews are  not  receiving  the  ready  response  which  they  should, 
and  the  average  inmate  is  misinterpreting  the  cause  of  delay. 

Assistants.  The  superintendent  is  assisted  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties  by  36  employees,  including  the  guards,  industrial 
overseers,  the  physician,  chaplain  and  parole  officer.  Of  the  en- 
tire corps  only  a  small  per  cent,  has  been  trained  for  reforma- 
tory work.  Officials  are  dependent  largely  upon  the  superin- 
tendent for  example,  instructions,  and  ideals.  A  study  club  has 
recently  been  organized,  and  a  library  selected,  with  a  view  to 
encouraging  a  spirit  of  professionalism  in  the  corps.  Hours 
are  long,*  salaries  low,  the  work  exacting  and  qualifications 
many.  Several  who  have  received  appointments  as  guards  have 
utterly  failed  to  qualify,  and  have  finally  been  discharged.  At 
the  present  time  the  majority  of  the  official  corps  is  making 
satisfactory  progress  in  the  adaptation  of  institutional  methods. 
A  few  have  failed,  thus  far,  to  qualify  for  handling  reformatory 
work  upon  the  basis  required  by  the  superintendent. 

Having  ascertained  that  the  superintendent  is  thoroughly 
conversant  with  the  individual  strength  and  weakness  of  each 
official,  it  would  seem  to  be  without  our  province  to  make  any 
detailed  suggestion  or  criticism. 

*  I  have  made  a  careful  inquiry  into  the  desirability  of  shorter  hours  for 
employees  in  our  state  institutions.  The  result  of  the  investigation  shows : 
(1)  That  the  hours  in  this  institution  are  practically  the  same  as  those  of  our 
other  institutions,  and  do  not  differ  from  those  of  similar  institutions  in  other 
states;  (2)  that  the  character  of  institutional  labor  is  more  closely  allied  to 
that  of  domestic  labor  than  to  that  of  organized  or  unskilled  day  labor,  and, 
therefore,  can  not  be  placed  upon  the  same  basis,  or  considered  from  the  same 
point  of  view  as  is  the  ordinary  laboring  day  ;  (3)  that  the  only  way  in  which 
it  would  be  possible  to  shorten  the  institutional  day  would  be  by  increasing  the 
expense  for  guards,  attendants,  nurses,  etc.,  fifty  per  cent. — M.  E.  HAY  April 
12,  1912. 


62  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

COMMITMENT. 

The  criminal  courts  of  our  state  are  daily  committing  to  our 
State  Reformatory  men  of  two  classes,  who  are  in  no  sense  of 
the  word  reformatory  material ;  ( 1 )  the  habitual  criminal,  who 
does  not  desire  reformation,  and  who  is  a  serious  handicap  to 
the  management  in  perfecting  a  genuine  reformatory  system; 
(2)  accidental  criminals  who  are  in  need  of  neither  reforma- 
tory methods,  nor  of  institutional  life,  and  who  could  be  handled 
under  an  adult  probation  law.  Before  this  condition  can  be 
effectively  altered  it  will  be  necessary  for  our  judges  handling 
criminal  calendars  to  have  a  more  definite  knowledge  of  our 
reformatory  methods  and  purpose ;  a  more  definite  knowledge  of 
the  individual  offender  upon  whom  they  pass  sentence,  and  the 
legal  assistance  of  an  adult  probation  law. 

A  detailed  state  investigation  as  to  the  class,  age,  character, 
etc.,  of  the  various  offenders  appearing  in  our  courts,  and  sen- 
tenced to  our  institutions,  would  furnish  the  basis  for  intelligent 
legislative  enactment. 

DISCIPLINE. 

The  main  forms  of  discipline  are  loss  of  privileges,  reduction 
in  rank,  increase  in  time,  and  confinement  in  correction  cells. 
Punishment  is  never  imposed  without  the  advice  and  consent 
of  the  captain.  No  corporal  punishment  is  allowed,  and  it  is 
a  rule  of  the  institution  that  no  guard  shall  strike  an  inmate 
except  in  self-defense,  or  to  prevent  escape. 

The  correction  cells  are  light,  and  are  in  steam-heated  build- 
ings. A  record  of  each  punishment  is  kept  showing  date  and 
cause.  Ninety-five  per  cent,  of  all  officials,  inmates,  or  others 
interviewed  declare  that  punishments  are  so  light  that  they  are 
not  worth  naming. 

HEALTH. 

The  physical  well-being  of  the  inmates  is  a  matter  of  careful 
attention.  At  entrance  many  are  victims  of  drug,  cigarette, 
or  liquor  habits.  Others  are  suffering  from  venereal  diseases. 
In  the  latter  case  every  precaution  is  taken  to  protect  others 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


from  contagion.     All  clothing  is  handled  in  a  separate  laundry 
and  men  so  afflicted  are  given  the  best  of  medical  attention. 

Hospital  facilities  are  good  and  an  excellent  physician  is  in 
charge.  We  desire  especially  to  commend  the  establishment  of 
the  tubercular  ward,  which  is  well  equipped  for  caring  for  pa- 
tients of  this  class. 

PAROLE. 

The  general  parole  system  is  explained  in  the  Report  of  the 
Board  of  Managers.  A  parole  agent  has  recently  been  added 
to  the  official  corps.  (1)* 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  the  institution.  Inmates  of  the  first 
and  second  grade  are  provided  with  blue  suits,  those  in  the 
third  grade  with  gray.  Change  in  underwear  and  socks  is 
made  weekly.  Inmates  sleep  in  their  underwear,  as  no  night 
clothing  is  provided.  There  are  some  features  of  the  present 
dormitory  system  which  would  appear  to  justify  this  apparent 
neglect.  The  completion  of  the  cell  block  will  remove  any  legiti- 
mate objection  to  the  use  of  special  sleeping  garments  and  it 
is  the  purpose  of  the  Board  to  include  them  in  the  necessary 
articles  of  clothing.  Handkerchiefs  have  not,  as  yet,  been  fur- 
nished the  inmates,  but  have  been  included  in  the  requisition.  (6) 

Prior  to  parole  each  inmate  is  permitted  to  select  his  own 
suit  pattern  and  style,  and  his  suit  is  made  in  the  shops  of  the 
institution.  Guarantee  of  honorable  employment  is  secured  for 
him,  and  he  is  furnished  with  transportation  to  his  place  of  em- 
ployment, and  $5.00  in  cash. 

FOOD. 

Knowing  that  "food"  is  a  constant  cause  for  complaint  in 
almost  every  institution,  an  especial  effort  was  made  to  visit 
the  kitchen  and  dining  room  each  day  of  our  stay.  We  were 
present  while  the  food  was  being  prepared  in  the  kitchen,  saw 
it  served  in  the  dining  room,  and  visited  the  kitchen  at  the  com- 

*  Numbers  in  parentheses  in  this  report  refer  to  the  supplemental  report  on 
pages  70,  71. 


64  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

•— — . — , . 

pletion  of  the  meal  to  ascertain  what  had  remained  uncalled  for. 

The  kitchen  is  scrupulously  clean,  the  best  steam  cookers  are 
in  use,  and  there  would  seem  to  be  a  sufficiency  of  food.  Vege- 
tables are  raised  on  the  grounds  and  are  abundant,  and  un- 
usually nice.  Meat  is  provided  once  a  day,  usually  in  the  form 
of  stew.  Fish  is  the  regular  Friday  dinner,  but  is  not  relished 
by  the  inmates  because  of  the  method  of  cooking.  The  coffee 
compares  favorably  with  that  of  the  ordinary  logging  or  rail- 
road camp.  Milk  and  sugar  are  allowed  in  small  quantities. 
Oatmeal  and  farina  are  the  breakfast  cereals.  Butter  is  not 
often  provided.  General  oversight  of  the  quality  and  quantity 
of  food  is  one  of  the  regular  duties  of  the  institutional  physician. 

Cooking  is  done  entirely  by  the  inmates.  This  would  seem 
to  us  to  be  a  mistaken  economy.  While  we  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  occasionally  the  quality  of  the  food  may  not  have 
been  what  it  should  be,  still  we  believe  that  the  greatest  defect 
in  the  culinary  department  is  the  lack  of  an  experienced  cook, 
who  knows  how  to  make  the  best  use  of  such  material  as  is 
provided.  (2) 

EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

Industrial.  No  inmate  of  the  institution  is  idle.  So  far  as 
possible  inmate  labor  has  been  utilized  in  clearing  the  land  and 
constructing  the  buildings.  When  the  immediate  necessity  for 
practical  industrial  occupations  ceases  to  be  furnished  by  the 
demands  of  the  state,  industrial  shops  will  be  maintained  to  fill 
this  need.  Agriculture  in  all  its  departments  is  taught.  A 
tailor  shop,  barber  shop,  and  bakery  are  in  operation,  and 
all  the  routine  housework  of  the  institution  is  done  by  the  in- 
mates. (4*) 

Physical.  A  gymnasium  is  included  in  the  plans  for  a  com- 
pleted institution.  It  is  not  yet  built. 

Military  drill  is  in  use  to  some  extent.  It  is  the  intention  of 
the  superintendent  to  make  this  a  regular  feature  of  the  physi- 
cal training  department. 

Moral  and  Intellectual.  Since  the  reformatory  features  are 
derived  largely  from  the  moral  and  intellectual  opportunities, 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  65 


the  chaplain  occupies  the  most  important  position  in  the  insti- 
tution in  this  respect.  All  intellectual  and  moral  and,  to  a  con- 
siderable extent,  the  social  life  of  the  inmates  is  directly  under 
his  supervision. 

The  school  work  for  the  current  year  has  just  been  organized, 
and  is  intended  to  benefit  all  who  have  not  completed  the  eighth 
grade  of  the  public  school  system.  It  is  most  desirable  that 
at  least  one  thoroughly  trained,  efficient,  citizen  teacher  be 
placed  in  charge  of  this  important  part  of  the  reformatory 
work. 

The  hours  from  5  :30  to  8  p.  m.  are  a  valuable  part  of  the 
day  for  the  cultivation  of  individual  talents,  the  enjoyment  of 
intellectual  recreations,  and  character  building,  by  means  of  the 
various  influences  at  command.  These  hours  are  not  utilized  as 
well  as  one  would  wish  them  to  be.  The  superintendent  has 
asked  for  a  literary  program  at  least  once  each  week  for  the 
coming  season,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  other  means  of  mak- 
ing these  hours  more  profitable  will  also  be  found.  (3) 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  That  more  effort  be  made  to  inform  the  public  regarding 
the  character  of  reformatory  work  in  general,  the  needs  of  the 
Reformatory  at  Monroe,  and  the  public  support  necessary  in 
order  to  carry  out  the  purpose  of  the  institution,  and  to  realize 
its  greatest  efficiency. 

2.  That  the  legislature  be  encouraged  to   pursue   a   more 
liberal  financial  policy  with  reference  to  this  institution.     The 
number  and  qualifications  of  officials  should  be  increased  and 
salaries  must  correspond   to  the  ability   and  efficiency   of  the 
corps. 

3.  That  more  care  be  used  in  commitment,  and  that  some 
definite  study,  such  as  has  been  suggested  in  the  findings,  be 
undertaken. 

4.  That  the  intellectual  and  social  opportunities  offered  to 
inmates  be  extended  as  rapidly  as  is  consistent  with  the  progress 
of  the  institution.  (3) 

—5 


66  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

5.  That  the  educational  work  be  placed  under  the  super- 
vision  of  the   State  Board  of  Education,   and  that  a  trained 
citizen  teacher  be  placed  in  charge  of  the  same.  (3) 

6.  That  an  assistant  superintendent  be  employed. 

7.  That  a  professional  cook  be  employed. 


COMPLAINTS  INVESTIGATED. 


MORAL. 

Complaint  1.  That  the  congregate  system  is  affording  a 
school  of  crime  for  younger  and  better  men. 

Findings.  In  any  penal  or  correctional  institution  there  is 
bound  to  be  more  or  less  depravity  and  vice,  with  the  constant 
tendency  to  drag  men  of  keener  abilities  and  purer  minds  to  its 
level.  The  inmates  at  Monroe  are  handled  as  carefully  as  is 
possible  in  this  respect.  The  new  cell  house  will  be  a  great  help 
in  counteracting  this  tendency. 

Complaint  2.  That  the  dormitory  system  as  now  handled 
encourages  the  practice  of  vice. 

Findings.  There  is  no  evidence  to  warrant  such  a  charge.  At 
Monroe  no  dormitory,  except  the  honor  room,  is  ever  relieved  of 
guard  supervision.  The  practice  of  vice  is  closely  watched,  and 
is  practically  impossible  except  in  such  individual  cases  as  are 
bound  to  occur  occasionally  in  any  institution. 

SANITARY  CONDITIONS. 

Complaint  3.  That  open  toilets  should  not  be  permitted  in 
the  dormitories. 

Findings.  Reasons  for  such  arrangement  are  obvious,  and 
undoubtedly  are  well  understood  by  the  complainants. 

TOBACCO. 

Complaint  4-  That  the  men  are  not  permitted  to  have  to- 
bacco. 

Findings.  Nearly  every  man  in  the  institution,  who  has  been 
addicted  to  the  use  of  tobacco,  regards  it  a  personal  grievance 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  67 

that  the  rules  of  the  institution  prohibit  its  use.  The  desira- 
bility of  the  non-tobacco  rule  is  so  apparent  that  the  complaint 
could  not  be  regarded  as  legitimate. 

CLOTHING. 

Complaint  5.  That  men  who  work  outside  in  the  rainy  sea- 
son have  no  change  of  footwear  and  suffer  from  sitting  indoors 
with  wet  feet. 

Findings.  All  men  who  work  in  the  wet  are  provided  with 
rubber  boots  which  are  removed  when  the  work  is  completed. 

DISCIPLINE. 

Complaint  6.  That  punishments  are  severe  and  unreason- 
able; that  they  are  imposed  for  minor  offenses,  often  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  individual  guard;  that  inmates  are  brutally 
beaten  and  kicked  by  guards. 

Findings.  We  have  received  a  number  of  statements  regard- 
ing the  brutal  treatment  of  inmates.  Among  the  complainants, 
none  has  been  an  eye-witness,  nor  has  he  been  able  to  direct  us 
to  one  who  was.  We  have  been  unable  to  secure  the  name  of  a 
single  individual  victim,  to  obtain  the  name  of  an  official  in- 
volved, or  even  a  date  to  aid  us  in  verifying  such  statements. 
Therefore,  with  second-hand  evidence  as  our  only  source  of  in- 
formation, and  with  no  definite  proof  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the 
statements,  we  are  forced  to  assume  that  they  are  without 
foundation  in  fact,  and  are  disproved  by  the  rules  and  conduct 
of  the  institution. 

Complaint  7.  That  one  certain  boy,  is  habitually  punished 
by  certain  guards  because  of  physical  defects  which  prevent 
prompt  obedience. 

Findings.  The  records  of  the  institution  show  this  boy's 
punishments  to  be  the  results  of  acts  in  no  way  connected  with 
his  physical  condition.  He  is  reported  by  so  many  different 
guards  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  assume  prejudice  upon 
the  part  of  any. 


68  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


Complaint  8.  That  correction  cells  are  dark,  the  floors  are 
cement  and  at  times  coated  with  ice.  Men  are  confined  in  these 
cells  bare-footed  and  insufficiently  clothed.  That  six  or  seven 
men  were  so  confined  for  seven  or  eight  days  each,  for  making 
complaint  to  the  Governor  regarding  their  treatment. 

Findings.  There  arc  no  dark  cells  in  the  institution,  none 
with  cement  floors,  and  all  are  in  steam-heated  buildings.  An 
inmate  is  occasionally  placed  in  a  cell  partially  clothed,  if  ap- 
prehended in  that  condition.  His  clothing  is  supplied  as  soon 
as  possible  after  confinement. 

It  was  not  possible  to  secure  the  name  of  a  single  man  alleged 
to  have  been  punished  for  reporting  to  the  Governor,  nor  was 
there  anything  to  prove  that  such  an  incident  ever  occurred. 

OFFICERS. 

Complaint  9.  That  the  superintendent  is  incompetent ;  brutal 
in  his  methods  of  handling  the  men ;  and  not  in  sympathy  with 
true  reformatory  methods. 

Findings.  Our  conclusions  regarding  the  ability  and  char- 
acter of  the  superintendent  have  been  expressed  in  the  findings. 

Complaint  10.  That  the  official  who  is  charged  with  the  in- 
tellectual and  social  life  of  the  inmates  is  not  meeting  the  needs 
of  the  institution.  That  he  absented  himself  from  the  institu- 
tion during  the  quarantine  for  scarlet  fever  when  his  oppor- 
tunities for  association  with  the  men  were  unexcelled.  That 
fifty  to  sixty  inmates  have  expressed  a  desire  for  an  evening 
Bible  class,  which  has  not  yet  been  organized.  (3)  That  it  is 
his  privilege,  and  should  be  his  pleasure,  to  make  the  evening 
hours  more  profitable  to  the  inmates  in  an  intellectual  and  social 
way. 

Findings.  These  statements  are  found  to  be  true,  and  are 
supported  by  the  testimony  secured  in  interviews. 

Complaint  11.  That  certain  guards  are  unpopular  alike  with 
inmates  and  fellow  guards. 

Findings.     There  is  considerable,  but  by  no  means  universal 


State  Institutions  of  Washington 


support  for  this  statement.     The  superintendent  realizes  both 
the  justice  and  injustice  of  this  complaint. 

EDUCATIONAL  WORK. 

Complaint  12.  That  the  school  work  of  the  reformatory  is 
sacrificed  to  pushing  building  construction. 

Findings.  Undoubtedly  the  educational  work  has,  at  times, 
been  subordinated  to  the  material  needs  of  the  institution.  This 
is  being  remedied  as  rapidly  as  conditions  permit.  It  must  be 
remembered,  moreover,  that  the  institution  is  yet  in  a  forma- 
tive stage,  and  that  it  is  also  the  duty  of  the  superintendent 
to  consider  the  man  who  is  taxed  to  support  this  institution,  as 
well  as  the  inmate  who  is  confined  within  it. 

SOCIAL  AND  LITERARY  OPPORTUNITIES. 

Complaint  13.  That  the  inmates  have  no  debates,  lectures, 
social  games  or  clubs. 

Findings.  This  subject  has  been  mentioned  in  the  findings. 
The  defect  might  be  remedied  in  one  of  two  ways :  ( 1 )  By  the 
official  who  now  combines  this  responsibility  with  other  duties, 
coming  into  closer  touch  with  the  inmates  during  the  freedom 
of  the  evening  hours,  studying  their  individual  tendencies  and 
talents,  and  organizing  such  evening  classes,  reading  clubs,  etc.. 
as  would  make  these  hours  more  profitable;  or  (2),  and  possibly 
a  better  method,  by  employing  a  strong  educational  man  who 
could  combine  this  responsibility  wTith  actual  school  super- 
vision. (3) 

FOOD. 

Complaint  14-  That  the  food  is  unsatisfactory  both  as  to 
quality  and  quantity.  Fish  and  beef  are  frequently  tainted. 
The  men  receive  no  sugar  or  butter.  Vegetables  are  unclean, 
and  the  coffee  poor.  Meat  should  be  provided  twice  each  day. 

Findings.  There  is  no  evidence  to  prove  that  the  food  is 
uniformly  unsatisfactory.  We  have  noted  in  the  findings  that 
occasionally  the  quality  may  have  been  inferior,  but  such  an 
occurrence  is  an  exception  and  is  carefully  guarded  against. 


70  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

The  quantity  of  food  is  also  ordinarily  sufficient.  The  requisi- 
tion records  of  the  institution  show  an  allowance  of  four  to  five 
pounds  of  sugar  per  month  per  inmate.  The  physician  of  the 
institution  expressed  his  entire  satisfaction  with  the  quality  and 
quantity  of  food.  Comparison  of  the  menu  provided  by  the 
Washington  Reformatory,  with  that  offered  by  other  similar 
institutions,  is  favorable.  Sameness  in  the  menu  of  institutions 
of  this  character  is  common,  and  is  difficult  to  overcome,  es- 
pecially when  it  is  remembered  that  plenty  of  plain,  wholesome 
food  is  all  that  should  be  expected  by  the  inmates,  or  provided 
by  the  public. 

It  would  seem  to  us  that  a  professional  cook  might  easily 
remedy  any  legitimate  complaint  regarding  this  department. (2) 

Nov.  7,  1911. 


SUPPLEMENTAL  REPORT. 

Institutions,  in  their  formative  period,  progress  rapidly. 
Each  month  brings  some  improvement  which  emphasizes  the 
general  policy  of  the  management  and  characterizes  the  purpose 
of  the  institution. 

We  visited  the  State  Reformatory  again  last  week  and  found 
several  features  mentioned  in  the  above  report  already  out  of 
date.  Among  the  most  noticeable  changes  are : 

1.  The  Development  of  the  Parole  Department.  At  the 
time  of  our  report  a  parole  agent  had  been  employed.  The 
success  of  his  work  warranted  expansion,  and  he  has  been  placed 
in  charge  of  a  parole  department.  Four  definite  lines  of  work 
are  undertaken  :  ( 1 )  A  study  of  the  characteristics  of  each  man 
prior  to  parole,  in  order  to  understand  as  thoroughly  as  pos- 
sible his  abilities  and  weaknesses  before  placing  him  in  a  posi- 
tion. (£)  Securing  positions  and  maintaining  an  employers' 
waiting  list.  (3)  Co-operation  with  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  churches  and 
other  organizations  in  securing  proper  social  and  religious  in- 
fluence for  paroled  men.  (4)  The  systematic  guidance  and 
oversight  of  paroled  men. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  71 

2.  An  experienced  steward  has  been  placed  in  charge  of  the 
culinary  department  and  has  entire  charge  of  all  cooking  and 
of  the  bakery. 

3.  The  Department  of  Religious  Instruction  and  Education 
has  been  divided  and  an  educational  director  has  been  appointed 
to  take  charge  of  the  educational  work. 

School  sessions  are  held  morning  and  afternoon  of  each  school 
day,  and  four  evenings  each  week.  Inmates  below  the  seventh 
grade  attend  day  school  for  some  portion  of  each  day,  those 
beyond  the  seventh  grade  may  attend  the  special  evening  classes. 

Several  new  features  in  social,  recreational,  and  literary  lines 
have  been  included  under  this  new  department. 

Twenty-five  copies  of  the  World's  Work  are  subscribed  for 
and  used  in  place  of  reading  books  in  the  grammar  grades. 

The  Protestant  chaplain,  in  general  charge  of  the  moral  and 
religious  instruction  of  inmates,  has  organized  a  Bible  class, 
a  weekly  meeting  for  prayer  and  conference,  and  a  brotherhood 
club  for  the  discussion  of  ethical  and  sociological  problems.  A 
Catholic  priest  has  been  employed  as  a  visiting  chaplain. 

4.  One  new  line  of  industrial  training  will  soon  be  in  opera- 
tion.    A  complete  job  printing  outfit  has  been  purchased  and 
an  institutional  paper  will  be  published. 

5.  The  cell  house  has  been  commenced,  but  will  not  be  com- 
pleted for  several  months. 

6.  Pajamas  have  been  made  in  the  tailor  shop  and  are  fur- 
nished  for   all  inmates.      Handkerchiefs   are  furnished   for   all 
inmates. 

[ANNA  Y.  REED,  April  8,  1912.] 


Report  of  Conditions  m  the 


REPORT  ON  STATE  PENITENTIARY 
AT  WALLA  WALLA. 


SOURCES  OF  INFORMATION  AND  METHODS  OF 
INVESTIGATION. 

The  methods  of  investigation  employed  in  studying  the  con- 
ditions at  the  Penitentiary,  and  the  sources  of  information  are 
practically  the  same  as  those  described  at  some  length  in  the 
report  recently  submitted  to  you  regarding  the  Reformatory 
at  Monroe.  Inmate  opinion  was  less  freely  sought;  first,  be- 
cause, as  was  mentioned  in  the  earlier  reports,  there  is  always 
more  or  less  danger  in  seeking  information  through  such  chan- 
nels, and  there  being  no  especial  object  to  be  attained,  it  seemed 
best  to  avoid  the  risk ;  second,  because  the  character  of  the  com- 
plaints received  regarding  this  institution  were  not  dependent 
upon  inmate  evidence  for  proof  or  disproof. 

Each  inmate  of  the  women's  building  was  visited  in  her  own 
room  and  conversed  with  freely.  Much  of  the  most  gratifying 
and  most  desirable  information  regarding  the  conduct  of  this 
important  department  was  secured  from  this  source  of  informa- 
tion. 

I  am  under  great  obligations  to  the  official  corps  of  the  insti- 
tution for  the  time  placed  at  my  disposal,  the  privileges  granted 
me,  and  the  effort  made  to  explain  every  department. 

BUILDINGS  AND  EQUIPMENT. 

With  the  exception  of  the  chapel  or  auditorium,  which  is  to 
be  constructed  at  once,  the  institution  at  Walla  Walla  is  con- 
sidered to  be  complete.  It  shelters  three  classes  of  prisoners: 
(1)  Male  convicts,  (2)  female  convicts,  and  (3)  the  criminal 
insane. 

The  Cell  House  for  male  prisoners  is  in  charge  of  the  chief 
turnkey.  It  comprises  five  wings  constructed  with  central  cell 
blocks  of  three  tiers  surrounded  by  corridors.  There  are  450 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  73 

cells  in  all.  They  vary  slightly  in  size,  the  largest  being  9x6 
feet.  Having  been  constructed  under  the  older  plan  of  prison 
architecture  no  utility  corridor  is  possible  and  the  cell  bucket  is 
a  necessity.  Ventilation  is  looked  after  as  carefully  as  is  pos- 
sible, and,  as  a  sanitary  precaution,  cell  buckets  are  enclosed  in 
an  air  shaft.  The  cells  are  scrupulously  clean.  Each  contains 
two  stools,  and  two  bunks  fitted  with  straw  ticks,  sheets,  blan- 
kets, and  feather  pillows.  Electric  lights  are  to  be  found  in  all 
the  cells,  but  there  is  only  one,  and  that  is  so  placed  that  it 
lights  the  upper  bunk  only. 

The  Dining  Room  and  Kitchen  are  under  the  direct  super- 
vision of  the  steward.  It  would  be  hard  to  find  a  finer  or  a  bet- 
ter equipped  institutional  kitchen.  Thoroughly  lighted,  sani- 
tary in  every  respect,  provided  with  the  best  of  ranges,  steam 
cookers,  and  other  utensils,  every  facility  is  afforded  for  mak- 
ing the  culinary  department  one  of  the  very  best  and  most 
modern  in  the  state. 

The  dining  room  is  equipped  with  the  regular  institutional 
tables.  Neither  table  cloth  nor  oil  cloth  is  used.  Dishes  are  of 
enamel  ware  and  knives  and  forks  are  steel. 

The  Hospital  Building  is  complete  in  itself.  The  physician 
lives  in  the  building  and  has  entire  charge  of  the  same.  It  com- 
prises four  wards,  six  private  rooms,  operating  rooms,  kitchen, 
dining  room,  and  the  necessary  offices.  There  is  an  open  air 
ward  for  those  suffering  from  tubercular  trouble. 

The  Administration  Building  contains  the  offices  of  the  in- 
stitution and  also  the  officers'  quarters. 

The  Industrial  Shops  include  the  the  tailor  shop,  shoe  shop, 
carpenter  shop,  barber  shop,  tin  shop  and  such  other  shops  as 
afford  educational  advantages  to  the  inmates  and  meet  the  needs 
of  the  institution. 

The  Jute  Mill  is  under  the  supervision  of  a  mill  superintend- 
ent. Something  over  a  year  ago  the  present  mill  was  put  into 
operation  and  the  old  mill  was  abandoned.  The  new  mill  has 
remedied  many  of  the  defects  in  the  old.  It  is  well  lighted  from 


74*  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

the  north,  has  3%  ventilators  each  4  feet  square,  is  heated  by 
steam,  and  affords  employment  for  about  600  men. 

The  Institutional  Farm  comprises  only  200  acres.  Farming 
and  gardening  are  well  looked  after,  but  it  is  needless  to  state 
that  the  acreage  is  entirely  insufficient  for  the  size  of  the  insti- 
tution. 

THE  OFFICIAL  CORPS. 

The  official  corps  of  the  institution  consists  of  47  employees. 
This  number  includes  the  superintendent,  chaplain,  physician, 
the  official  in  charge  of  the  Bertillon  and  finger-print  system, 
two  matrons,  captain,  chief  turnkey,  chief  engineer,  steward, 
state  clerk  and  others. 

I  am  indebted  to  each  one  of  these  officials  for  much  inter- 
esting information  respecting  the  various  departments  and  for 
many  instructive  and  valuable  facts  and  suggestions  resulting 
from  prison  experience. 

The  majority  of  the  official  corps  seemed  to  be  in  sympathy 
with  modern  institutional  methods,  and  several  proved  to  be 
thoroughly  familiar  with  all  that  is  best  in  reformatory  or 
penal  systems.  There  is  no  study  or  reading  club  among  the 
officials,  no  especial  library  provided  for  their  use,  and  no 
definite  reading  course  suggested  with  a  view  to  progress  along 
professional  lines,  or  to  instructing  new  officials  in  modern 
theories  of  penology  and  criminology. 

COMMITMENT. 

In  our  report  of  November  7,  1911,  relative  to  the  Reforma- 
tory, your  attention  was  called  to  the  lack  of  discrimination 
exercised  by  our  criminal  courts  in  sentencing  legal  offenders 
to  that  institution.  Study  of  the  age,  character,  previous  his- 
tory, and  crimes  of  the  inmates  of  the  Penitentiary  reveals  the 
same  lack  of  discrimination  relative  to  commitments  to  the 
Walla  Walla  institution.  In  establishing  the  Reformatory  at 
Monroe  it  would  seem  to  have  been  the  purpose  of  the  state  to 
sentence  to  the  Penitentiary  three  classes  of  criminals:  (1) 
Habitual  and  incorrigible  criminals  who  do  not  desire  reforma- 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  75 

tion  and  possibly  may  never  be  capable  of  reinstatement  in  so- 
ciety, (2)  men  of  older  years  who,  while  they  may  desire  refor- 
mation, have  not  sufficient  will  power  to  refrain  from  evil  doing, 
and  hence  would  be  objectionable  as  associates  for  youthful 
offenders,  (3)  younger  men  who  are  denied  the  advantages  of 
the  Reformatory  because  of  the  nature  of  their  crime. 

In  addition  to  the  above  our  courts  frequently  sentence  to 
the  Penitentiary  the  accidental  criminal,  who  has  no  logical 
place  in  either  institution,  and  who  should  be  handled  under  an 
adult  probation  law,  and  the  first-time  youthful  offender  whom 
the  law  intended  to  go  to  Monroe.  The  records  of  the  Peni- 
tentiary show  that  18  youths  under  twenty  years  of  age,  and 
104  between  the  ages  of  nineteen  and  twenty -five  years  are  now 
serving  sentences  in  this  institution.  Of  this  number  108  are 
first  offenders.  The  total  number  of  first  offenders  under  thirty 
years  of  age  is  at  present  298.  One  boy,  seventeen  years  of 
age,  is  serving  a  long  sentence  for  a  crime  which  would  go  far 
toward  proving  him  to  be  a  moral  degenerate,  and  not  a  proper 
subject  for  any  penal  institution.  This  case  was  especially  in- 
teresting as  we  had  just  visited  the  Feeble-Minded  Institution 
where  another  boy  nineteen  years  of  age  is  in  permanent  custody 
for  the  same  class  of  degeneracy. 

IDENTIFICATION  SYSTEM. 

The  Bertillon  system  of  measurements,  and  the  finger-print 
system  of  recording  and  identifying  criminals,  have  both  been 
introduced  into  the  State  Penitentiary.  A  trained  man  who 
devotes  his  entire  time  to  the  work  has  been  in  the  service  of  the 
state  about  eighteen  months.  The  institution  is  registered  in 
the  Leavenworth  Identification  Bureau  and  hence  the  state  is  not 
only  securing  the  benefit  of  co-operation  in  the  suppression  of 
crime,  but  it  is  also  making  important  contributions  to  the  same. 
Each  prisoner  is  photographed,  and  every  effort  is  made  to 
ascertain  and  record  facts  relative  to  his  past  life.  The  system 
of  recording  the  cases,  and  the  methods  of  identification,  are  ex- 
ceedingly interesting,  and  are  worthy  of  careful  study.  About 


76  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

one-half  the  prisoners  at  Walla  Walla  have  done  time  elsewhere, 
or  have  been  two  or  three  times  in  our  own  institution.* 

DISCIPLINE. 

Great  progress  has  been  made  within  the  last  year  or  two  in 
the  matter  of  prison  discipline.  The  lock-step  has  been  abol- 
ished, stripes  are  no  longer  worn  except  for  punishment,  and  all 
unusual  forms  of  discipline  have  been  permanently  discarded. 
The  subject  of  discipline  is  not  troubling  either  the  warden  or 
the  inmates  of  the  Penitentiary. 

All  punishments  are  under  the  direction  of  the  warden,  all 
are  recorded,  and  each  inmate  knows  his  own  standing.  No 
corporal  punishment  is  allowed.  Red  stripes  are  worn  for  at- 
tempt to  escape,  for  the  practice  of  vice,  and  for  continual  vio- 
lation of  rules.  Correction  cells,  which  correspond  to  the  or- 
dinary prison  cell,  are  used  for  long  periods  of  solitary  con- 
finement ;  the  dungeon,  which  is  of  steel  and  is  dark,  is  used  for 
short  periods  of  more  severe  punishment.  Other  forms  of  pun- 
ishment are  loss  of  yard  privilege,  loss  of  tobacco,  etc. 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  PRISONERS. 

The  graded  system  has  not  yet  been  introduced  into  our  penal 
institution.  No  attempt  at  classification  has  been  made  except 
so  far  as  the  assignment  of  cell-mates  is  concerned.  It  is  most 
unfortunate  for  the  institution  that  450  cells  must  be  made  to 
accommodate  706  prisoners.  This  means  that  the  two  in  a  cell 
system,  which  is  universally  recognized  as  the  worst  of  all  prison 
systems,  is  the  only  one  which  it  is  possible  to  follow  at  the 
Penitentiary.  Every  precaution  is  taken  by  the  officer  who  has 
the  assignment  of  cells  to  avoid  the  dangers  of  this  system,  and 
it  would  seem  that  the  utmost  protection  and  care  was  being 
given  to  every  inmate. 

HEALTH. 

The  physician  has  the  general  care  of  the  health  of  the  pris- 
oners. There  is  no  department  for  physical  training  and  no 


*  No  accurate  statistics  are  as  yet  possible  regarding  second-time  prisoners. 
This  statement  is  an  estimate  given  me  by  Mr.  Pope,  in  charge  of  the  Identifica- 
tion Bureau. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  77 

system  of  military  drill.  Insane  convicts,  and  such  as  are  con- 
fined in  cells,  are  exercised  daily  in  the  court.  Baths  are  per- 
mitted weekly,  and  only  showers  are  in  use.  One  towel  per  week 
is  allowed  each  inmate.  Facilities  for  washing  morning  and 
evening  are  not  as  abundant  as  could  be  wished. 

About  ninety  per  cent,  of  the  prisoners  have  at  some  time  suf- 
fered from  venereal  diseases,  and  17  or  18  are  at  present  confined 
in  the  syphilitic  corridor.  Patients  of  this  class  are  kept  en- 
tirely apart  from  the  other  prisoners ;  they  eat  at  a  separate 
table  and  dishes  are  boiled  ten  minutes  after  each  meal ;  their 
laundry  is  cared  for  separately  and  every  precaution  is  taken 
to  protect  other  inmates  from  infection.* 

Tubercular  patients  are  segregated  in  an  open  air  sitting 
room  and  dormitory.  There  are  five  patients  in  this  ward. 
Their  meals  are  served  separately  and  their  reading  matter  is 
not  allowed  to  be  used  by  other  convicts.  Each  patient  suffer- 
ing from  pulmonary  tuberculosis  has  his  own  sputum  cup  and 
the  precautionary  rules  for  tubercular  patients  are  posted  in 
the  ward. 

All  cooking  for  hospital  patients  is  done  in  the  hospital 
kitchen,  under  the  direction  of  the  physician.  It  is  also  one  of 
the  duties  of  the  physician  to  pass  judgment  upon  the  quantity 
and  quality  of  the  food  provided  for  convicts. 

CLOTHING. 

Clothing  is  furnished  by  the  state.  The  regulation  prison 
uniform  is  dark  blue.  Cotton  flannel  underwear  is  made  in  the 
institution.  Underwear,  shirts  and  socks  are  changed  weekly. 
Handkerchiefs  and  night  clothing  are  not  furnished. 

Release  and  parole  clothing  is  furnished  by  the  institution. 
Suits  from  a  variety  of  patterns  are  made  in  the  tailor  shops. 
Prisoners  who  desire  may  purchase  certain  articles  of  clothing 
for  themselves. 

*  These  statements  are  based  upon  information  secured  from  the  physician 
and  not  upon  personal  knowledge. 


78  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

FOOD. 

No  complaint  comes  more  generally  and  more  constantly  to 
the  student  of  institutional  life  than  does  that  of  "poor  food." 
During  the  period  in  which  I  have  been  working  under  your 
direction  this  complaint  has  come  to  me  so  often,  from  both 
inmates  and  the  general  public,  that  I  have  deemed  it  worthy  of 
serious  effort  to  determine,  if  possible,  how  far  the  diet  of  our 
various  state  institutions  corresponded  to  reasonable  and  recog- 
nized standards.  Knowing  that  data  was  now  available  which 
would  permit  a  nutrition  expert  to  pass  judgment  upon  the 
dietary  problem  of  any  given  institution,  and  failing  to  secure 
the  information  desired  by  comparison  with  the  menus  of  insti- 
tutions in  other  states,  I  entered  into  correspondence  with  one 
of  the  best  known  nutrition  experts  in  the  country,  one  who  has 
made  an  especial  study  of  diet  in  public  institutions.  Through 
his  courtesy  an  opinion  has  been  received  upon  the  menus  of 
several  of  our  state  institutions,  and  the  generous  offer  of  any 
further  assistance  desired. 

The  dining  room  and  kitchen  at  the  Penitentiary  have  re- 
ceived the  most  careful  attention.  The  quality,  quantity,  va- 
riety and  preparation  of  food  would  indicate  that  there  could 
be  no  legitimate  criticism  in  comparison  with  commonly  ac- 
cepted dietary  standards.  The  food  was  simple,  as  it  should  be ; 
it  was  wholesome  and  reasonable  in  cost,  was  well  prepared  and 
abundant.  Meat  is  provided  three  times  a  day,  baked  fish  is 
offered  on  Friday,  dessert  is  a  regular  part  of  the  dinner,  mush 
is  sweetened  in  the  kitchen  and  milk  is  usually  provided.  Pro- 
fessional cooks  are  always  found  among  the  inmates  and  as  a 
rule  take  pride  in  their  work.  The  total  expense  per  day  per 
prisoner  is  13  8-10  cents. 

The  silent  system  is  observed  during  meals. 

TOBACCO. 

The  state  furnishes  tobacco  to  insane  and  life  prisoners,  and 
to  some  who  are  serving  long  sentences.  Such  others  as  desire 
may  purchase  it  for  themselves.  Purchases  in  this  line  amount 
to  about  $250  per  month. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  79 

LABOR  AND  INDUSTRIES. 

The  economic,  industrial  and  educational  questions  involved 
in  prison  labor  are  presenting  some  of  the  most  serious  prob- 
lems of  the  time,  and  are  demanding  practical  solution  on  all 
sides.  Penologists  agree  that  prison  labor  is  a  necessity,  (1) 
as  a  means  of  discipline,  (£)  as  a  reformative  influence,  (3)  as 
an  aid  to  physical,  mental  and  moral  well-being,  and  (4)  as  a 
means  of  reducing  the  cost  to  taxpayers.  The  best  system  of 
prison  labor  is  bound  to  be  the  system  which  meets  most  of  these 
requirements. 

All  prisoners  who  are  capable  of  labor  are  required  to  work. 
Much  of  the  time  it  is  difficult  to  provide  suitable  labor  for  the 
aged  and  cripple  convicts. 

There  is  no  penal  labor  as  distinct  from  useful  or  productive 
occupation,  and  no  contract  labor.  Both  the  state  use  and  the 
state  account  system  are  employed. 

Several  trades  and  industries  fit  inmates  to  earn  their  liveli- 
hood when  released.  Among  those  in  which  the  educative  pro- 
cess is  most  prominent  are  cabinet  making  and  carpentry,  sheet 
metal  work,  engineering,  brick  making,  and  tailoring.  Two  or 
three  of  the  industrial  shops  are  prepared  to  send  their  products 
to  the  other  institutions  of  the  state.  One  thousand  suits  for  the 
insane  hospitals  are  now  being  made  in  the  tailor  shop,  and 
both  the  tin  shop  and  the  carpenter  shop  are  ready  to  contribute 
to  the  equipment  of  other  institutions. 

Various  domestic  industries  are  carried  on  as  the  needs  of  the 
institution  demand. 

The  jute  mill  furnishes  employment  for  a  large  number  of 
unskilled  laborers  and  its  product  is  not  brought  into  competi- 
tion with  that  of  free  labor,  but  it  does  not  include  the  educa- 
tional factor.  Just  how  far  it  will  ultimately  contribute  to  the 
financial  support  of  the  institution  is  still  an  open  question.  At 
the  present  time  the  mill  is  being  operated  with  about  one-half 
the  full  force,  the  work  is  light  and  during  the  longer  days  the 
regulation  task  is  often  completed  before  closing  hours.  Dur- 


80  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

ing  the  winter  months  the  work  day  averages  7  to  8  hours,  dur- 
ing the  summer  months  10  hours. 

Convicts  labor  in  quarry  and  road  camps.  The  class  of  pris- 
oners assigned  to  such  labor,  and  the  management,  are  discussed 
at  length  in  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Control. 

The  silent  system  is  not  observed  during  labor. 

Prisoners  receive  no  per  cent,  of  the  earnings  of  industries, 
and  no  payment  of  wages. 

EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

Moral  and  Religious.  The  moral  and  religious  instruction  of 
the  prisoners  is  under  the  care  of  the  chaplain  who  is  especially 
desirous  of  extending  his  influence  to  incorporate  reformatory 
methods.  Public  services  are  held  on  Sunday  morning,  a  Bible 
class  composed  of  50  to  75  members  meets  on  Sunday  afternoon. 
A  Catholic  priest  visits  the  institution  and  conducts  services  at 
his  convenience  and  as  there  are  a  good  many  Catholics  the 
services  are  much  appreciated.  Christian  Science  service  is 
held  monthly. 

The  chaplain  also  visits  and  counsels  the  prisoners  and,  with 
a  convict  assistant,  has  charge  of  the  library. 

Literary.  There  are  no  schools  or  classes  for  the  instruction 
of  convicts. 

No  daily  papers  or  magazines  are  subscribed  for  by  the  in- 
stitution, but  back  numbers  of  magazines  are  often  contributed, 
and  prisoners  are  allowed  to  subscribe  personally  for  such 
magazines  and  papers  as  they  may  desire,  except  that  news- 
papers published  in  Washington  and  neighboring  states  are 
prohibited. 

No  institutional  paper  is  published. 

The  prison  library  comprises  about  3,000  volumes,  including 
school  texts.  Fiction  forms  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  li- 
brary. There  was  a  noticeable  dearth  of  reading  matter  which 
is  both  instructive  and  entertaining.  No  library  catalogue  is 
given  to  prisoners,  and  the  method  of  selection  and  distribution 
of  books  is  not  calculated  to  inspire  and  direct  literary  effort. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  81 

Musical.  There  is  both  a  prison  orchestra  and  a  prison  band. 
Neither  has  a  civilian  leader,  and  the  orchestra  is  badly  in  need 
of  leadership  of  any  kind.  Singing  at  the  Sunday  service  was 
not  of  the  quality  which  one  would  expect  to  find  in  so  large  an 
institution,  and  it  seemed  unfortunate  that  no  especially  trained 
quartette  or  chorus  was  used  to  aid  in  this  part  of  the  service. 
When  the  chapel  is  completed  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  a  good 
piano  and  plenty  of  good  music  will  be  provided. 

RECREATION. 

Prisoners  are  given  the  freedom  of  the  yard  on  Sunday  from 
10  to  11 :30  a.  m.  As  a  rule  ball  is  played. 

PAROLE. 

Only  first  offenders  are  eligible  for  parole,  and  none  who  has 
violated  the  rules  within  six  months  can  apply  for  it.  A  parole 
officer  has  recently  been  employed  and  has  under  his  care  48 
men.  As  a  rule  supervision  is  exercised  for  six  months.  The 
superintendent  makes  an  especial  effort  to  ascertain  the  char- 
acter and  good  faith  of  the  parties  to  whom  prisoners  are 
paroled,  but  with  the  utmost  of  care  failures  are  inevitable. 

CRIMINAL  INSANE. 

There  are  17  insane  convicts  confined  in  one  of  the  cell  wings 
at  the  Penitentiary.  Other  cells  in  the  same  wing  are  occupied 
by  civil  prisoners  who  are  thus  subjected  to  much  annoyance. 

The  Penitentiary  has  no  especial  conveniences  for  caring  for 
the  insane,  no  especial  attendants,  no  industries,  and  they  are 
confined  in  their  cells  except  for  daily  exercise  in  the  court.  It 
is  a  great  misfortune  that  the  Penitentiary  should  be  called 
upon  to  care  for  this  class  of  criminal. 

WOMEN'S  BUILDING. 

Equipment.  The  building  which  shelters  the  women  inmates 
is  one  of  the  oldest  at  the  Penitentiary.  Convicted  women  are 
brought  to  the  institution  by  their  own  sex  and  are  turned  over 
to  the  matron  immediately  upon  their  arrival. 


82  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

The  assistant  matron  lives  in  the  building  and  devotes  her 
entire  time  and  interest  to  the  welfare  of  her  charges.  At  pres- 
ent there  are  eleven  inmates.  One  is  insane  and  6  are  colored. 

Each  inmate  has  her  own  private  room ;  there  are  no  bars  and 
no  locked  doors  except  the  outer  doors  and  windows.  The  rooms 
are  all  large  and  are  well  equipped  with  bed,  mattress,  good 
bedding  and  pillow,  rug,  table  and  chair.  Baths  may  be  had 
as  frequently  as  is  desired. 

The  freedom  of  the  house  is  allowed  inmates  at  all  times  ex- 
cept during  punishment.  The  insane  inmate  is  not  violent  and 
mingles  freely  with  the  others. 

The  Dining  Room  also  serves  the  purpose  of  a  sitting  room, 
sewing  room  and  chapel.  Table  cloths,  and  as  a  rule  napkins, 
are  used.  China  dishes  are  provided  but  steel  knives  and  forks 
are  in  use  except  when  the  individual  provides  her  own. 

Food.  All  food  is  prepared  in  the  general  kitchen  and  is  sent 
to  the  women's  building  ready  for  the  table.  It  is  of  the  same 
quality  as  that  provided  for  the  men.  Meat  is  served  once  per 
day. 

Clothing.  Clothing  is  provided  by  the  state  and  is  made  by 
the  inmates.  Blue  wash  dresses,  night  clothing  and  muslin  un- 
derwear are  furnished  for  all. 

Occupations.  Each  woman  is  required  to  work  4%  hours 
per  day  with  half  time  on  Saturday.  The  chief  occupations  are 
sewing,  button-hole  making,  and  laundry  for  themselves  and 
for  the  officers'  dining  room. 

Several  hours  daily  are  at  the  disposal  of  the  inmates.  Most 
have  learned  to  do  embroidery  and  various  kinds  of  fancy  work, 
several  do  painting.  Articles  made  by  the  inmates  are  sold  when 
possible  and  the  money  credited  to  the  individual's  account. 

EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

Moral  and  Intellectual.  The  chaplain  holds  services  every 
Sunday  morning  at  9  o'clock.  There  are  no  Catholic  women 
among  the  inmates.  There  is  an  organ  in  the  dining  room  and 
the  singing  was  very  good. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  83 


The  assistant  matron  meets  such  of  the  inmates  as  may  de- 
sire each  evening  in  the  dining  room  and  offers  two  lines  of 
educational  work,  (1)  school  work  for  such  as  are  illiterate,  or 
may  desire  to  continue  their  studies,  (2)  some  definite  line  of 
reading  which  is  selected  with  a  view  to  increasing  knowledge, 
awakening  the  intellect  and  raising  the  standard  of  literary 
taste.  At  the  present  time  Stoddard's  Lectures  are  being  read 
and  a  large  atlas  is  used  as  an  aid  to  understanding  them  in- 
telligently. Frequently  the  women  sit  with  their  fancy  work 
while  the  matron  reads  or  visits  with  them.  During  these  so- 
cial hours  many  opportunities  are  offered  for  the  tactful  intro- 
duction of  topics  bearing  upon  morality  and  social  obligations. 
I  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  fact  that  personality  is 
silently  influencing  personality  in  this  department  of  our  Peni- 
tentiary, that  an  irresistible  education  was  going  on  day  after 
which  was  bound  to  influence  the  future  lives  of  the  inmates. 

Library  books  are  brought  from  the  general  library  every 
two  weeks.  There  is  no  library  selected  with  especial  reference 
to  the  needs  and  interests  of  women,  and  no  magazines  are  taken 
for  their  especial  use. 

DISCIPLINE. 

Manslaughter  and  grand  larceny  are  the  two  crimes  which 
have  sent  women  to  the  Penitentiary,  therefore  most  are  serving 
long  terms  and  are  dependent  upon  the  merit  system  for  release. 

Discipline  is  never  severe,  the  dungeon  is  used  when  neces- 
sary, but  as  a  rule  loss  of  privileges  is  the  only  form  of  pun- 
ishment. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

1.  The  re-enactment  of  section  3  of  the  Indeterminate  Sen- 
tence Law  of  1907. 

No  law  enacted  in  recent  years  has  been  of  greater  benefit  to 
prison  discipline  than  the  indeterminate  sentence  law.  In  or- 
der to  secure  the  best  results  from  this  law  it  is  necessary  for 
the  superintendents  of  our  institutions  to  have  at  their  com- 
mand the  fullest  possible  information  relative  to  the  past  life 


84  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 

and  character  of  the  inmates.  It  was  most  unfortunate  that 
this  important  section  of  the  law  should  have  been  repealed,  and 
the  first  opportunity  should  be  taken  to  secure  its  re-enactment. 

2.  The  payment  of  a  small  wage  to  inmates.     Correspond- 
ence with  a  number  of  superintendents  of  prisons  and  reforma- 
tories reveals  a  great  difference  of  opinion  upon  this  subject. 
Some  very  interesting  personal  observations   and  suggestions 
have  been  received  from  the  superintendents  where  the  plan  is 
being  tried.     These  are  well  worthy  of  study  in  considering  our 
own  problem.     Concensus  of  opinion  would  seem  to  favor  the 
payment  of  a  small  wage — the  amount  to  be  determined  upon 
some  basis  in  harmony  with  the  theories  of  penal  psychology, 
and  the  sum  so  accumulated  to  be  controlled  in  such  a  way  that 
it  will  be  of  definite  use  to  the  prisoner  or  his  family. 

3.  Purchase  of  a  better  grade  of  knives  and  forks  for  use  in 
the  inmates'  dining  room.     The  use  of  china  dishes  in  place  of 
the  enamel  ware  is  generally  conceded  to  be  desirable.     Person- 
ally I  see  no  objection  to  the  latter  if  the  quality  be  good,  and 
if  worn  utensils  are  promptly  replaced. 

4.  The  establishment   of  a  night   school  which  shall  be   a 
school  of  character  as  well  as  a  purely  literary  school.     Handled 
by  an  expert  such  a  school  would  develop  the  moral  sense,  as 
well  as  increase  the  knowledge  of  convicts,  and  could  be  made 
a  powerful  instrument  of  reform. 

I  am  thoroughly  convinced  from  what  I  have  seen  of  our  own 
institution,  and  from  information  secured  from  others,  that  such 
a  school  is  needed,  and  would  be  appreciated.  Out  of  the  901 
prisoners  registered  at  Walla  Walla  at  the  date  of  the  last  re- 
port, 98  could  neither  read  nor  write,  15  could  read  only,  and 
70  others  had  no  education  beyond  ability  to  read  and  write. 
Our  city  boards  of  education  are  offering  night  school  advan- 
tages to  hundreds  of  adults  who  can  neither  read  nor  write,  and 
to  such  others  as  desire  advanced  educational  work.  Is  it  not 
perfectly  logical,  and  does  not  the  safety  of  the  state  demand 
that  illiterates  imprisoned  in  our  institutions  be  given  this  ele- 
mentary instruction,  and  that  it  be  made  compulsory? 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  85 


Educational  efforts  in  behalf  of  prisoners  will  always  meet 
with  some  discouragements,  be  attended  with  some  dangers,  and 
cause  additional  responsibility,  but  the  balance  of  testimony  is 
bound  to  favor  educational  work  in  all  institutions  whether  penal 
or  reformatory. 

Inasmuch  as  superintendents  usually  prefer  to  conduct  night 
classes  either  within  the  cell  house,  or  in  a  building  connected 
with  the  same,  it  may  be  necessary  to  consider  some  especial 
arrangement  for  class  rooms  in  case  the  recommendation  for 
educational  work  should  be  approved. 

5.  The  introduction  of  the  graded  system. 

6.  Consideration  of  the  desirability  of  an  institutional  pa- 
per.    Nearly  every  up-to-date  reformatory  and  a  number  of 
better  class  penal  institutions  have  had  such  papers  for  years. 
There  is  much  to  be  said  in  their  favor  and  I  do  not  know  of  a 
single  instance  in  which  other  than  good  results  have  been  re- 
ported. 

7.  Increased  library   facilities    and   the   broadening   of   its 
scope  to  include  more  volumes  treating  of  science,  history,  biog- 
raphy and  travel. 

In  order  to  select  any  library  efficiently  there  are  two  indis- 
pensable factors,  (1)  knowledge  of  the  needs  of  the  person  to 
be  served  and  (2)  knowledge  of  the  quality  of  the  books  fur- 
nished. This  specialized  knowledge  can  hardly  be  expected  of 
prison  officials  but  must  be  sought  within  the  field  of  the  trained 
librarian.  Fortunately  for  the  State  of  Washington  one  of  her 
resident  librarians  is  a  member  of  the  special  committee  on  peni- 
tentiary libraries  reporting  to  the  League  of  Library  Commis- 
sions. The  State  of  Oregon  is  also  fortunate  in  having  in  her 
service  another  national  leader  in  prison  library  standards. 
From  these  sources  I  have  obtained  much  information  as  to  the 
general  principles  by  which  one  should  be  guided  in  selecting 
prison  libraries,  the  class  of  fiction  suitable  for  prisoners,  the 
ratio  between  educational  and  recreational  works,  and  the  best 
methods  of  utilizing  the  library. 


86  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


8.  Provision  for  the  criminal  insane,  as  well  as  the  insane 
criminal,  elsewhere  than  at  the  Penitentiary. 

9.  An  adult  probation  law  which  will  relieve  the  Penitentiary 
of  caring  for  accidental  criminals. 

10.  Greater  care  on  the  part  of  the  courts  in  committing 
only  penitentiary  material  to  this  institution. 

COMPLAINTS  INVESTIGATED. 

Complaint  1.  That  food  furnished  inmates  is  unsatisfactory 
both  in  quantity  and  quality. 

Complaint  2.  That  no  educational  facilities  are  offered  to 
men  who  desire  to  improve. 

Complaint  3.  That  no  underwear  is  furnished,  and  men  fre- 
quently suffer  from  cold. 

Findings.  Each  of  the  above  complaints  has  been  carefully 
considered  in  the  report. 

Complaint  4-     That  cells  are  cold  in  the  evening  hours. 

Findings.  Cells  are  comfortably  heated  during  the  evening 
hours  and  also  on  Sunday.  I  received  no  information  which 
would  lead  me  to  suppose  that  they  were  not  always  comfortable 
during  the  hours  of  occupancy. 

Complaint  5.  That  employment  in  the  jute  mill  is  injurious 
to  the  health  because  of  dust. 

Findings.  Probably  this  was  true  in  regard  to  the  old  mill. 
The  new  mill  is  well  ventilated  and  was  comparatively  free  from 
dust.  Considerable  dust  is  caused  by  the  breaking  up  of  the 
bundles  but  this  requires  only  a  couple  of  hours  of  work  each 
day  and  employs  only  three  or  four  men. 

Complaint  6.  That  inmates  are  not  allowed  to  have  their 
hair. 

Findings.  The  hair  of  all  inmates,  except  those  employed  as 
clerks  and  a  few  others,  is  clipped.  This  is  a  necessary  regula- 
tion at  entrance,  but  it  would  seem  that  there  could  be  but  three 
reasons  for  its  continuance,  (1)  as  a  sanitary  measure,  which, 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  87 


in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  institution  is  in  a  thoroughly  sani- 
tary condition  and  that  many  larger  institutions  permit  inmates 
to  keep  their  hair,  would  not  seem  to  be  a  valid  reason;  (2)  as  a 
factor  in  the  older  penal  system  by  which  a  prisoner  was  made 
to  feel  his  humiliation;  (3)  as  a -means  of  identification  in  case 
of  escape.  So  few  convicts  escape  that  it  would  hardly  seem 
necessary  to  retain  this  custom  as  a  means  of  identification. 

Complaint  7 .  That  the  women  of  the  institution  are  not  well 
cared  for. 

Findings.  I  have  received  many  complaints  regarding  the 
treatment  of  women  at  the  Penitentiary,  and  also  many  requests 
from  women's  clubs  and  from  individuals  that  an  especial  effort 
be  made  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  these  reports. 

For  this  reason  I  have  given  considerable  space  in  the  body 
of  the  report  to  the  subject  of  the  women's  building.  I  am 
pleased  to  be  able  to  state  again  that  the  care  of  the  unfor- 
tunate women  who  are  sentenced  to  our  Penitentiary  should  be 
a  matter  of  pride  to  every  woman  in  the  state.  I  trust  that 
women's  organizations  throughout  the  state  will  try  to  become 
thoroughly  informed  regarding  this  department,  and  will  lend 
their  sympathy  and  encouragement  to  the  officials  who  are 
making  so  many  social  sacrifices  in  order  to  carry  on  this  work. 

Dec.  27,  1911. 


88  Report  of  Conditions  m  the 


GENERAL  CONCLUSIONS  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS. 


As  a  result  of  our  general  study  of  institutional  methods  and 
equipment,  of  our  visits  to  various  institutions  in  eastern  states, 
and  of  our  recent  detailed  studies  of  all  the  institutions  of  both 
Oregon  and  Washington,  we  offer  the  following  general  con- 
clusions and  recommendations  regarding  the  institutions  of 
Washington  : 

Our  Institutional  Farms  are  neither  as  large,  nor  as  fertile 
as  could  be  wished.  Larger  and  more  productive  farms  would 
have  been  better  economy  for  the  state,  and  more  beneficial  to 
the  population  of  the  various  institutions. 

Buildings,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  are  as  good  as  could  be 
expected  in  any  state.  Newer  structures  are  fire-proof,  sanitary 
in  every  way,  and  modern  in  arrangement  and  equipment.  Older 
buildings  are  being  constantly  repaired  and,  so  far  as  possible, 
modernized. 

Our  greatest  needs  in  this  line  at  the  present  time  are: 

1.  The  employment  of  a  state  architect  so  that  additions  to 
present  institutions,  or  the  establishment  of  new,  may   follow 
well  organized  plans. 

2.  The  expansion  of  the  capacity  of  the  Institution  for  the 
Feeble-Minded. 

3.  The  completion  of  the  Reformatory  at  Monroe,  and  a 
liberal  financial  policy  which  will  allow  the  institution  to  fill  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  established. 

4.  The  completion  of  the  buildings  planned  for  the  Blind 
and  Deaf  Schools,  at  Vancouver. 

5.  A  new  kitchen  and  greenhouses  for  the  Hospital  at  Medi- 
cal Lake. 

6.  A  gymnasium  and  reading  room  for  boys  at  the  State 
Training  School. 

7.  The  erection  of  residences  for  the  superintendents  of  our 
institutions  as  rapidly  as  the  state  is  able. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  89 

The  superintendent  of  the  Reformatory,  and  of  the  Peniten- 
tiary have  very  nice  residences ;  the  superintendents  of  the  two 
Hospitals  have  very  comfortable  rooms  within  the  institution ; 
and  the  superintendents  of  our  four  other  institutions  have  no 
satisfactory  home  life  at  all. 

SUPERINTENDENTS. 

The  superintendents,  to  whom  the  management  of  our  state 
institutions  has  been  entrusted,  are,  as  a  corps,  above  the  aver- 
age of  most  institutional  officials.  All  are  in  the  prime  of  life, 
several  are  professionally  trained,  and  the  greater  part  are 
students  of  their  particular  phase  of  institutional  life. 

The  character  of  institutional  work  has  changed  much  in  the 
last  decade.  Washington  is  a  long  distance  from  the  profes- 
sional centers  of  the  country,  and  several  of  our  superintend- 
ents are  meeting  serious  problems  with  but  little  help  in  their 
solution. 

The  efforts  which  our  superintendents  are  making  to  conduct 
their  institutions  along  modern  lines,  and  the  efficient  service 
which  they  are  rendering  the  state,  entitles  them  to,  and  should 
command,  the  respect,  gratitude,  confidence  and  commendation 
of  the  public. 

However,  the  success  of  our  institutions  is  not  due  entirely 
to  the  fact  that  we  have  an  efficient  official  corps.  Back  of  this 
fact  is  a  second  factor — one  which  is  most  important  in  secur- 
ing and  retaining  efficient  officials — the  non-political  character 
of  our  institutional  positions.  Under  the  present  administra- 
tion our  institutions  have  been  entirely  free  from  political  in- 
trigue or  control.  If  this  continues  to  be  the  case,  and  if  the 
Public  will  do  its  share  in  the  shape  of  legislation,  sympathy, 
and  co-operation,  the  State  of  Washington  will  rank  second  to 
none  in  the  efficiency  of  her  state  institutions. 

SALARIES. 

In  general  our  institutional  workers  are  well  paid.  In  fact 
our  wage  scale  is  above  the  average.  In  some  instances  salaries 
need  re-adjusting,  and  the  policy  of  increasing  a  superintend- 


90  Report  of  Conditions  in  the 

ent's  salary  through  the  employment  of  his  wife  as  matron,  or 
through  enlarging  her  salary  in  such  a  position,  is  to  be  heartily 
condemned.  Why  not  pay  our  superintendents  what  they  are 
worth  to  the  state,  and  then,  if  their  wives  are  qualified  to  act 
as  matrons,  pay  them  also  what  they  are  worth? 

HOURS  OF  DUTY. 

In  all  state  institutions  hours  are  long.  The  Washington 
requirements  compare  favorably  with  those  of  other  states,  and 
we  saw  no  way  to  shorten  the  hours  without  increasing  the 
public  expense  for  such  services  from  one-third  to  one-half. 

MATERIAL  NEEDS  OF  INMATES. 

Inmates  of  our  various  institutions  are  well  cared  for  from 
a  material  point  of  view. 

Beds  are  clean  and  comfortable.  Mattresses,  pillows,  sheets 
and  blankets  are  provided  in  all  of  our  correctional  institutions. 

Clothing  is  warm  and  comfortable  and  is  usually  abundant. 
We  would  recommend  that  night  clothmg  and  handkerchiefs  be 
furnished  to  all  state  wards,  of  both  sexes ;  that  bath  towels  be 
furnished  to  inmates  of  our  correctional  institutions ;  and  that 
roller  towels  be  permanently  discarded  in  all  of  our  institutions. 

The  Dietary  of  our  institutions  is  satisfactory.  Our  reports 
contain  criticism  of  but  two  institutions  in  this  respect,  and  the 
cause  of  dissatisfaction  in  one  has  already  been  removed. 

The  Health  of  the  state's  wards  is  carefully  looked  after. 
Only  one  institution  seemed  to  be  in  any  way  negligent  in  this 
respect.  There  was  little  fault  to  find  with  sanitary  conditions, 
and  bathing  facilities  were  satisfactory  in  most  of  the  institu- 
tions. 

Physical  Training  is  not  given  the  attention  which  it  should 
have,  especially  at  our  State  Training  School. 

A  teacher  of  physical  culture  and  of  folk  dancing  for  the 
blind,  deaf,  feeble-minded,  and  delinquent  girls  would  be  a  great 
addition  and  could  be  provided  with  little  expense. 


State  Institutions  of  Washington  91 

RELIGIOUS  AND  MORAL  TRAINING. 

Non-denominational  religious  services  are  common  in  all  our 
institutions,  although,  where  possible,  both  Protestant  and 
Catholic  services  are  held. 

The  moral  atmosphere  in  most  of  the  institutions  was  ex- 
cellent. 

LITERARY  AND  EDUCATIONAL  ADVANTAGES. 

School  Work  was  uniformly  satisfactory  in  but  two  of  our 
institutions.  This  is  due  largely  to  the  fact  that  the  educa- 
tional work  offered  by  our  state  institutions  is  not  considered 
a  part  of  the  state  educational  system,  and  is  too  often  in  the 
hands  of  incompetent  instructors. 

We  make  the  following  general  recommendations  with  refer- 
ence to  educational  work: 

1.  That  the  educational  departments  of  all  state  institutions 
be  placed  under  the  supervision  of  the  State  Board  of  Educa- 
tion. 

2.  That  the  number  of  pupils  per  teacher  be  lessened. 

3.  That  only  professionally  trained  teachers  be  employed  in 
institutional  work. 

4.  That  industrial  efficiency  and  economic  independence  be 
included  in  the  educational  departments  of  our  state  schools. 

Libraries  in  our  state  institutions  were  quite  uniformly  un- 
satisfactory. This  is  especially  true  with  reference  to  our  cor- 
rectional institutions.  We  have  called  attention  to  this  in  the 
individual  reports,  and  have  also  mentioned  the  superiority  of 
the  Oregon  system,  and  explained  the  reasons  for  the  same. 

We  are  convinced  that  the  biennial  appropriation  is  sufficient 
to  maintain  better  libraries,  and  hence  we  recommend  a  detailed 
study  of  our  institutional  libraries  and  the  manner  in  which  this 
fund  is  expended,  together  with  the  securing  of  expert  opinion 
as  to  the  selection,  classification  and  methods  of  utilizing  the 
books. 


Report  of  Conditions  in  the 


LEGISLATION. 

Many  of  the  changes  recommended  in  the  individual  reports 
are  dependent  for  their  introduction  upon  the  initiative  of  the 
superintendent.  Some  have  already  been  made,  and  attention  has 
been  called  to  the  same  in  foot  notes.  Others  cannot  be  made 
without  legislative  enactment  and  hence  are  dependent  upon  the 
will  of  the  public.  Among  the  greatest  needs  in  this  line  are : 

1.  The  establishment  of  a  Girls'  Training  School  entirely 
independent  of  the  Boys'  School  at  Chehalis. 

£.  Legislation  which  will  allow  the  Institution  for  the 
Feeble-Minded  to  render  more  efficient  service  to  the  state. 

3.  The  recognition  of  the  schools   for  the  physically   and 
mentally  defective  children  of  the  state  as  a  part  of  the  state 
school  system. 

4.  The  enactment  of  an  adult  probation  law. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

MAY  B.  GOLDSMITH. 
ANNA  Y.  REED. 
April  15,  1912. 

Seattle,  Washington. 


-— 


YC  35732 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


